Hypertrophy of bronchial glands occurs during airway remodeling. Which option is correct?

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Multiple Choice

Hypertrophy of bronchial glands occurs during airway remodeling. Which option is correct?

During airway remodeling, tissues adapt by changing cell size and number. Bronchial submucosal glands typically enlarge through hypertrophy, meaning the existing gland cells grow larger and secrete more mucus. This is why hypertrophy is the correct description here—the glands increase in size rather than increasing in number. Fibrosis would involve connective tissue scarring, not gland enlargement. Atrophy would mean shrinkage of tissue. Hyperplasia would be an increase in the number of glands, not their size. In chronic airway disease, mucus production is driven by gland enlargement (hypertrophy) and goblet cell hyperplasia, which together amplify mucus secretion and contribute to airway obstruction.

During airway remodeling, tissues adapt by changing cell size and number. Bronchial submucosal glands typically enlarge through hypertrophy, meaning the existing gland cells grow larger and secrete more mucus. This is why hypertrophy is the correct description here—the glands increase in size rather than increasing in number.

Fibrosis would involve connective tissue scarring, not gland enlargement. Atrophy would mean shrinkage of tissue. Hyperplasia would be an increase in the number of glands, not their size. In chronic airway disease, mucus production is driven by gland enlargement (hypertrophy) and goblet cell hyperplasia, which together amplify mucus secretion and contribute to airway obstruction.

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