OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
ANTIPOLO CAMPUS

Name: Erika Jade T. Torres Date: April 19, 2022

Course/Section: BS PHARM 1-B-3

Please answer the following.

1. Describe the change in the structure of the air passageways from the
primary bronchi to the terminal bronchioles and to the alveoli in the lungs.

- As the air passageways of the lungs become smaller, the structure of their
wall changes. The amount of cartilage decreases and the amount of smooth
muscle increases until, at the terminal bronchioles, the walls have a
prominent smooth muscle layer but no cartilage.

2. Explain the significance in the change of these structures.

- The cartilage and mucous membrane of the primary bronchi are similar to that
in the trachea. As the branching continues through the bronchial tree, the
amount of hyaline cartilage in the walls decreases until it is absent in the
smallest bronchioles. As the cartilage decreases, the amount of smooth
muscle increases. The mucous membrane also undergoes a transition from
ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium to simple cuboidal epithelium to
simple squamous epithelium.
- The alveolar ducts and alveoli consist primarily of simple squamous
epithelium, which permits rapid diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Exchange of gases between the air in the lungs and the blood in the
capillaries occurs across the walls of the alveolar ducts and alveoli.
 3. Explain how the air passageways respond during exercise.

- Relaxation and contraction of the smooth muscle within the bronchi and
bronchioles can change the diameter of the air passageways. During
exercise, the diameter can increase, thus increasing the volume of air moved.

4. Explain why there is difficulty in breathing during asthma exacerbations.

- During an asthma attack, also called an asthma exacerbation, the airways

become swollen and inflamed. The muscles around the airways contract and
the airways produce extra mucus, causing the breathing (bronchial) tubes to
narrow. During an attack, you may cough, wheeze and have trouble
breathing.

References:
VanPutte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. (2019). Seeley’s essentials of anatomy &
physiology (10th Ed). USA: McGraw Hill Education.
Famousfaqs. (2022, April 03). Asthma exacerbation. - -
https://allfamousbirthday.com/faqs/during-an-acute-asthma-
exacerbation/#:~:text=During%20an%20asthma%20attack%2C%20also%20called%20
an%20asthma,you%20may%20cough%2C%20wheeze%20and%20have%20trouble%2
0breathing.
Dezube,. R. (2021 March). Overview of the Respiratory System.
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/biology-of-the-lungs-
and-airways/overview-of-the-respiratory-system
National Cancer Institute. n.d. Bronchi, Bronchial Tree, & Lungs.
https://www.training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/respiratory/passages/bronchi.html