ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the result of pathologic changes in the central airways that are responsible for chronic cough and sputum production,1-3 lesions in the smaller conducting airways that cause airway obstruction4,5 and emphysematous destruction of the lung surface.6-8 These abnormalities are also accompanied by pulmonary vascular changes that contribute to right heart failure,9,10 and less well defined lesions11 that are associated with the acute exacerbations of COPD.12 Although their location and appearance differ, their pathogenesis is determined by the inflammatory process, and the purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of their structural features.