支气管粘膜下层有大量慢性炎细胞。
慢性支气管炎在病理学上没有很典型的表现，但在临床上出现持续排痰性咳嗽，而且此症状至少要在连续2年中持续不少于3个月。大多数病人是吸烟者。通常会有肺气肿的表现。
This photomicrograph demonstrates a bronchus with increased numbers of chronic inflammatory cells in the submucosa. Chronic bronchitis does not have characteristic pathologic findings, but is defined clinically as a persistent productive cough for at least three consecutive months in at least two consecutive years. Most patients are smokers. Often, there are features of emphysema as well.
