Need help with bronchoconstriction

[bsugar888]

Hello all.....we are studing the respiratory system.....and one of the questions asked in class was...Where does bronchoconstriction occur in the lungs???.........I dont fully understand....Is the answer in the airsacs...which than become blocked with mucus???.....can someone help me understand......thanks.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Hello all.....we are studing the respiratory system.....and one of the questions asked in class was...Where does bronchoconstriction occur in the lungs???.........I dont fully understand....Is the answer in the airsacs...which than become blocked with mucus???.....can someone help me understand......thanks.

It is actually just like it sounds, bronchoconstriction occurs in the bronchioles.

"How Airways Narrow

During an asthma attack, the smooth muscle layer goes into spasm, narrowing the airway. The middle layer swells because of inflammation, and more mucus is produced. In some segments of the airway, the mucus forms clumps that nearly or completely block the airway. These clumps are called mucus plugs."

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch044/ch044a.html

[yoginurse2b]

Bronchoconstriction causes the airway to constrict (narrow), not the alveoli (airsacs). The airway consists of the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. Alveoli can be collapsed due to lack of surfactant and lead to atelectasis.

Mucus production is usually due to inflammatory process. Inflammation can be due to allergies (dust, pollen, NSAIDs, etc), hyper-responsiveness (exercise), or pathogens (such as in pneumonia). These triggers cause capillary leak, accumulation of exudate and swelling/edema. These "secretions" = mucus.