What condition is characterized by inflammation of the bronchi?

Bronchitis is the condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi, which are the large passageways that lead from the trachea to the lungs. This inflammation is typically caused by infection, smoking, or exposure to irritants, leading to symptoms such as coughing, increased mucus production, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. In bronchitis, the bronchial tubes become swollen, and the natural airflow is obstructed, which can cause discomfort and compromised lung function.

Asthma involves airway inflammation but is primarily an obstructive disease due to bronchospasm and hyperreactive airways rather than just inflammation of the bronchi. Pneumonia is an infection that inflates the air sacs in one or both lungs, leading to symptoms that are different from bronchitis. Emphysema is a condition that affects the alveoli and is characterized by the destruction of the air sacs, leading to reduced gas exchange and difficulty in exhaling rather than inflammation of the bronchi themselves. Thus, bronchitis clearly stands out as the correct choice for the inflammation of the bronchi.