Senile emphysema

Emphysema refers to the excessive inflation of the portion of the lung distal to the terminal bronchioles (including respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli), accompanied by destruction of the airspace walls. In 1987, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) revised the definition of emphysema: "irreversible enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of alveolar walls, without obvious fibrosis." The basic features of emphysema are overinflation of the gas-exchanging portions of the lung tissue and airflow obstruction, hence it is called "obstructive pulmonary emphysema."