The statement 'Emphysema is a reversible enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles' is true?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Not specified

Answer: (B)

Emphysema causes permanent enlargement of the air spaces beyond the terminal bronchioles (the acinus) due to destruction of the alveolar walls and elastic tissue. Because this is structural destruction, the changes are irreversible—airspace enlargement cannot be reversed simply with time or typical COPD therapies. The characteristic loss of elastic recoil leads to air trapping and increased lung compliance, which explains the clinical and histologic features. In contrast, conditions with reversible airway dilation (like certain forms of asthma or bronchial smooth muscle constriction) can show improvement with bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory treatment, but emphysema’s changes are not reversible. Therefore the statement is false.