First slide
Disorders of the Respiratory System
Question

Name the pulmonary disease in which alveolar surface area involved in gas exchange is drastically reduced due to damage in the alveolar walls

Easy
Solution

Many smokers have both bronchitis and emphysema. Emphysema is the destruction of elastic lung tissue. This reduces the elastic recoil force of the lungs. The alveolar walls degenerate, and small alveoli combine to form larger alveoli. The result is fewer alveoli, but alveoli with an increased volume and decreased surface area. Although the enlarged alveoli are still ventilated, the surface area is inadequate for complete gas exchange, and the physiologic dead space increases. 

Asthma is a difficulty in breathing causing wheezing due to inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles.

Pneumonia infects the alveoli (air-filled sacs) of the lungs. As a result of the infection, the alveoli get filled with fluid leading to severe problems in respiration. 

Pleurisy is a condition in which the pleura (two large, thin layers of tissue that separate lungs from the chest wall) becomes inflamed.

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