Respiratory CAS Practice Exam

Hypertrophy of mucous-secreting glands in the bronchial walls is a hallmark of chronic bronchitis. This gland enlargement increases mucus production, contributing to a productive cough seen in this condition. The measure often discussed is the Reid index, which compares gland thickness to the total bronchial wall thickness; a higher index indicates gland hyperplasia typical of chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema mainly involves destruction of alveolar walls with less emphasis on mucus glands. Asthma features bronchial hyperreactivity and remodeling that includes smooth muscle changes and goblet cell metaplasia, but the classic mucous gland hypertrophy is not the defining feature. Bronchiolitis affects the small airways with inflammation rather than enlargement of the mucous glands in the larger airways.

So, chronic bronchitis best fits the description.