small airways disease


small airways disease

 chronic obstructive bronchitis with irreversible narrowing of the bronchioles and small bronchi. See also obstructive small airways disease.

small airways disease

A condition in which airway obstruction is attributed to ↓ luminal dimension; SAD is largely confined to the small airways or bronchioles–< 2 mm in diameter, initiated by inhaled irritants and is most common in smokers; it is accompanied by inflammation, hypersecretion, and small airway changes, including fibrosis, ulceration, metaplasia, smooth muscle proliferation. Cf COPD.