[Morphometric picture of chronic bronchitis in bronchiectases--morphologic and morphometric changes in the proximal and distal bronchi and bronchioles].

Morphological specific features of proximal and distal bronchi and bronchioles were studied in secondary chronic bronchitis as compared to the primary one basing on the morphometric data. Some specificity was noted in separate forms of secondary bronchitis. Secondary chronic bronchitis is characterized by non-uniform pathological changes in bronchial walls. Wall enlargement, infiltration and sclerosis are more pronounced in secondary chronic bronchitis as compared to the primary one. The relative volume of glands and muscles is less in secondary chronic bronchitis than in the primary one; the Reid index does not differ from the standard in spite of the enlargement of the mucosal inner layer. Atrophic bronchitis is characterized by thinning of mucosal inner layer and decrease in the number of glands. Secondary chronic bronchitis is characterized by narrowing of bronchioles, in contrast to the primary chronic bronchitis where the mean diameter of bronchioles is extended.