Final answer:
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting exocrine glands, causing thick mucus that obstructs airways, leading to breathing difficulties and malabsorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cystic Fibrosis: An Inherited Exocrine Gland Disease
The inherited disease of exocrine glands leading to airway obstruction is cystic fibrosis. This is an autosomal recessive genetic disease characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus that clogs the respiratory and digestive organs. People with cystic fibrosis have a mutation in the CFTR gene, leading to faulty proteins that disrupt sodium chloride transfer across cell membranes. Consequently, mucus in the airways becomes unusually thick, causing respiratory issues, frequent lung infections, and problems with the absorption of nutrients due to obstructed ducts in organs like the pancreas.
Cystic fibrosis is one of several obstructive diseases, which also include emphysema and asthma. In comparison, emphysema often stems from smoking and results in the destruction of alveoli, while asthma is an inflammatory condition where airway obstruction is due to swelling, mucus, and muscle spasms. However, cystic fibrosis is unique in that it is a genetic condition leading to chronic issues from birth.