26. Barrel chest
This is an important sign in the physical exam and is characteristic of emphysema and COPD patients. We include this feature in emphysema symptoms because it is much more common in emphysema patients. Barrel chest is the classic name for an expansion of the diameter of the chest. It happens because the lungs are inflated with air caught in place and difficult to take out. So, the expiratory volume decreases, and there’s an excess of air in the lungs.