MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Emphysema is primarily a pathological diagnosis that affects the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole. It is characterized by abnormal permanent enlargement of lung air spaces with the destruction of their walls without any fibrosis and destruction of lung parenchyma with loss of elasticity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture-creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones.

Detailed explanation-3: -Emphysema develops over time and involves the gradual damage of lung tissue, specifically the destruction of the alveoli (tiny air sacs).

Detailed explanation-4: -In the past 30 years, the prevailing concept to explain emphysema development has relied on lung inflammation caused by cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants, or bacterial products, leading to a protease/antiprotease imbalance (1), which ultimately would cause alveolar destruction in emphysema.

Detailed explanation-5: -A disorder affecting the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs. The transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs takes place in the walls of the alveoli. In emphysema, the alveoli become abnormally inflated, damaging their walls and making it harder to breathe.