1. Emphysema

2. Long term, progressive disease of the lungs
Part of the C.O.P.D. group—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Affects the bronchioles and alveoli

3. The lung tissue is destroyed and does not maintain its necessary shape for adequate gas exchange

4. Emphysema changes the anatomy of the lungs in several ways
Lungs are normally very spongy and elastic

5. Sponge Analogy:
When breath is taken, the chest wall expands, expanding the lungs
Similar to how a sponge absorbs water when it is squeezed and released, suction draws air into the lungs when they expand

6. A sponge can absorb water because it has many small pores expanding at the same time, picking up the water after being squeezed
If the pores were larger, they would not take in as much water

8. Lungs require hundreds of millions of alveoli to draw enough air into them to be useful
Emphysema destroys the alveoli
The fewer and the bigger the alveoli, the less effectively they perform

9. Emphysema is the opposite of pneumonia; too large alveoli
In other words, the air sacs enlarge until they balloon outward (distention)

10. ©

11. Emphysema, Gross Level ©http://library. med. utah

12. Healthy Lung Tissue ©http://www. udel

13. Bronchiole and Arteriole Lung Specimen ©http://www. udel

14. Emphysema ©http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/LUNGHTML/LUNG059.html

15. Respiration is a two step process:
Inhalation (active) → exhalation (passive)

16. Pathway to Emphysema
See board
Precursor: chronic bronchitis

17. Smoking is the number one cause of emphysema
Contributes in two ways:
Destroys lung tissue (cause of the obstruction)
Causes inflammation and irritation of the airways (causes disease to worsen)

18. Symptoms Shortness of breath Coughing Wheezing
“Purse lipped breathing”
Barrel chest
Cyanosis: lack of oxygen to tissues causes skin to look blue (fingernail beds, lips, tongue)

19. Cyanosis

20. Diagnosis
Chest sounds
Chest X-ray
Lung function test
Blood test

21. Treatments Stop smoking
Bronchodilating medication: allow for better gas exchange
Surgery
Transplant