Which factors can contribute to restrictive lung disease?

Restrictive lung disease refers to a condition where there is a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs can hold, which can be caused by issues in the lungs themselves or conditions affecting the chest wall or respiratory muscles.

The factors listed in the correct choice are all related to conditions that can physically restrict lung expansion. Scoliosis, for instance, is a curvature of the spine that can lead to a decreased thoracic cavity volume, limiting the lungs’ ability to expand fully. Muscular dystrophy, which affects the muscles required for breathing, can result in weakened respiratory muscles, thereby reducing lung capacity. Obesity contributes to restrictive lung disease due to excess body weight compressing the lungs and limiting their ability to expand during inhalation.

In contrast, the other options involve conditions that can lead to obstructive lung disease or respiratory conditions that do not primarily restrict lung expansion. For example, asthma primarily involves bronchial constriction and inflammation, while chronic bronchitis and emphysema are characterized by airflow obstruction rather than restriction. Therefore, the conditions listed in the correct answer are specifically linked to mechanisms that result in restrictive lung disease.