Chapter 23.3, Problem 2WDT

Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason why the changes at the lining of the trachea and bronchi in chronic smokers from pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium occur and mention some consequences of this change.

Concept introduction: The trachea is commonly known as the windpipe. It is an open tube that attaches to the larynx and to two main bronchi. The trachea extends into the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity through the neck region. The highly branched system of the respiratory pathway is known as the bronchial tree. The bronchial tree originates at the main bronchi and gradually branches into the narrower tubes of the respiratory pathway.