Abstract
Emphysema is a slowly progressive degenerative lung disease involving fragmentation and depletion of elastic fibers, loss of lung elastance, and architectural destruction with ectasia, tortuosity, and loss of bronchioles irrespective of localization or morphological type. Occurring under physiological conditions, predominantly in geriatrics, matrix laxity and destructive parenchymal lesions are indicative of a pathological loss of tissue tensile strength attributable to bioengineering or structural fatigue in repetitively stressed tissues. The occurrence of severe premature emphysema in inherited connective tissue diseases and under some experimental and iatrogenic conditions is supportive evidence. Experiments advocating unrestrained proteolysis as a cause or pathogenic factor are invalid, being based on a false premise and assumed causality.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
