Final answer:
A patent airway is one that is open and unobstructed, allowing air to pass through. The term 'patent' contrasts with 'obstructed' or 'occluded,' which describe blocked airways. Conditions like asthma and emphysema can lead to airway occlusion and interfere with maintaining a patent airway.
Step-by-step explanation:
An airway that is open can be called patent. In medical terminology, a 'patent' airway is one that is unblocked and capable of allowing air to pass through without obstruction. This contrasts with an airway that is 'obstructed' or 'occluded,' both terms referring to a condition where the airway has been blocked, either partially or completely, preventing adequate airflow. For example, during an intubation procedure, a tube is inserted to ensure that the airway remains patent despite any potential blockages.
Obstructive diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and pulmonary edema can cause airway occlusion. Airway inflammation in asthma can lead to spasms, mucus secretion, and damage to the epithelia, all contributing to obstruction. Emphysema, usually caused by smoking, destroys the walls of the alveoli, reduces lung elasticity, and traps air, thus affecting the patent airway negatively.