bronchitis (bron-ki'tis)

Catarrhal inflammation of the bronchial tubes, especially the larger ones, within the lungs. The term is popularly applied to catarrhal affections of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, b. diffusa sicca. Diffuse dry b. b. exsudativa, b. fibrinosa. See croupous b. b. putrid a. See fetid b. b. suffocans. See capillary^ b. capillary b. An acute catarrhal inflammation of the finer bronchial tubes; a severe and often fatal affection, commonly thought to attack children especially, usually localized; often not to be distinguished from bronchopneumonia, chronic lb., chronic catarrhal b. A form of b. characterized by attacks occurring every winter, and at last becoming continuous, convulsive b. Whooping cough, croupous b. An acute or chronic b. in which casts of the bronchial tubes are formed by fibrinous exudation, eosinophilous b. A form of chronic b. characterized by numerous eosinophilous cells in the sputum. exudative b., fibrinous b. See croupous b. fetid b. B. with fetid expectoration, mechanical b. B. due to mechanical irritation, as by the habitual inhalation of dust of various kinds. senile b. Chronic b. in aged persons, summer b. Hay fever. [Gr., brogchia, the bronchial tubes, + it is, inflammation.]