A. E. ANDERSON JR., M.D., F.A.C.P.; ALVAN G. FORAKER, M.D.
The conventional tendency is to consider chronic bronchitis in clinical terms of excessive mucus secretion in the bronchial tree, with bronchial mucous gland hypertrophy as the essential morphologic hallmark. This approach is restrictive and probably has enhanced much of the existing misunderstanding among investigators working with bronchitis and related conditions. The distinction between clinical expressions and anatomical changes is stressed. The reasons for defining chronic bronchitis in morbid anatomic terms are given. These terms should include, but in no way be restricted to, bronchial gland hypertrophy. Other morbid changes, such as epithelial metaplasia and inflammatory infiltrates, rank at least equally in importance.
ANDERSON AE, FORAKER AG. Bronchorrhea or Bronchitis?. Ann Intern Med. 1971;75:789–790. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-75-5-789
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1971;75(5):789-790.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-75-5-789
Infectious Disease, Pulmonary/Critical Care.