What is a common finding in asthma patients related to lung structure?

In asthma patients, hypertrophy of smooth muscle is a common structural finding due to the chronic inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. This condition leads to an increase in the smooth muscle mass surrounding the bronchi, which can exacerbate airway narrowing during an asthma attack or when exposed to triggers. The hypertrophied smooth muscle contributes to the characteristic symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, by making it more difficult for air to flow through the bronchial passages.

In asthma, this smooth muscle hypertrophy occurs alongside other changes, such as inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, but the significant increase in smooth muscle mass is a notable feature of the disease. Unlike emphysema, for instance, which involves destruction of alveoli, asthma primarily affects the airways and does not typically lead to alveolar destruction. Thus, recognizing the hypertrophy of smooth muscle is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of asthma and its impact on lung function.