What differentiates emphysema from chronic bronchitis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are both forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, emphysema is characterized by the destruction of lung tissue, specifically the alveoli, which are the air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. While both conditions have primary risk factors such as smoking and air pollution, and can be associated with other health conditions like diabetes, their key differentiating feature is the destruction of lung tissue in emphysema.

What Differentiates Emphysema from Chronic Bronchitis