Chronic bronchitis is primarily characterized by the enlargement of which cells?

Chronic bronchitis is primarily characterized by the enlargement of mucous-secreting glands. In patients with chronic bronchitis, there is hyperplasia of the mucous glands due to ongoing irritation, most commonly from tobacco smoke or environmental pollutants. This condition leads to excessive production of mucus, which contributes to airway obstruction and chronic cough. The hypertrophy of these glands is a significant pathological feature of chronic bronchitis and is quantitatively assessed using the Reid index, which compares the size of the mucous glands to that of the airway wall.

While goblet cells also increase in number and contribute to mucus production, the specific question focuses on the enlargement of the mucous-secreting glands, which is a hallmark distinction in chronic bronchitis. Therefore, identifying the enlargement of mucous-secreting glands is essential for understanding the underlying pathology of chronic bronchitis.