Emphysema
Overview
Emphysema, also known as pulmonary emphysema, is a condition of the lower respiratory tract characterized by air-filled spaces in the lung that can vary in size and can be quite big. The voids are created by the disintegration of alveolar walls and replace the spongy lung parenchyma. This lowers the total alveolar area accessible for gas exchange, resulting in a decrease in blood oxygen delivery.