摘要：Summary (Pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung characterized by poorly reversible airflow limitation. It
is not a unique disease entity but rather a complex of conditions which include emphysema, chronic bronchitis
and, sometimes, asthma. Moreover, COPD is a progressive disease often associated with exacerbations. Cigarette
smoking, which is the most important risk factor for the development of COPD, induces pathological changes
involving lung parenchyma, peripheral airways and central airways. Since lung parenchyma and peripheral
airways are the sites responsible for airflow limitation and central airways are the main site of mucus
hypersecretion, pathological changes in these compartments may be relevant in the development of COPD.
