PATHOLOGICAL-ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN LUNG TISSUE DURING CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AND THEIR ROLE IN DISEASE PROGRESSION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is characterized by persistent airflow limitation, chronic inflammation, and progressive structural damage of lung tissue. Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke, environmental pollutants, and inflammatory mediators contributes to irreversible pathological changes in the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to analyze pathological-anatomical changes in lung tissue during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and evaluate their role in disease progression. The findings demonstrate that COPD is associated with chronic bronchial inflammation, emphysematous destruction of alveoli, fibrosis, vascular remodeling, and mucus gland hyperplasia. These structural alterations progressively impair respiratory function and contribute to chronic respiratory failure. Understanding pathological changes in COPD is important for diagnosis, prognosis, and development of therapeutic strategies.