Asthma primarily affects the tissues of the airways in the lungs, specifically the bronchial tissues.
Asthma is characterized by several changes within the airways. These changes involve multiple tissue types, leading to the symptoms and complications associated with the disease. According to available information, the following tissues are affected:
- Bronchial Epithelium: This is the lining of the airways, and in asthma, it shows structural and functional abnormalities. This means the cells are damaged and don't work as they should, disrupting the normal protective barrier of the airway.
- Bronchial Mucosa: This is the inner lining of the bronchi, where inflammatory cells accumulate. This accumulation leads to inflammation, swelling, and increased mucus production.
- Airway Tissue Structure: Asthma leads to remodeling of the airway tissue structure. This remodeling involves changes like thickening of the airway walls, increased smooth muscle mass, and increased deposition of collagen. These structural changes can cause narrowing of the airways and reduced airflow.
Here's a breakdown in table format:
| Tissue Affected | Changes in Asthma |
|---|---|
| Bronchial Epithelium | Structural and functional abnormalities (damaged cells, disrupted barrier function) |
| Bronchial Mucosa | Accumulation of inflammatory cells (inflammation, swelling, increased mucus) |
| Airway Tissue Structure | Remodeling (thickening of airway walls, increased smooth muscle, collagen deposition, narrowing) |
Therefore, asthma affects multiple tissues within the airways, resulting in a complex interplay of inflammation, structural changes, and impaired function that contributes to the symptoms of the disease.
