Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

A distinctive pathologic feature of silicosis is the presence of hyalinized nodules with a circular pattern of fibers. This is caused by the inhalation of silica particles, which leads to the formation of scar tissue around the particles in the lungs.

Airway hyperreactivity (A) and mucous plugging (B) are not specific to silicosis and can be seen in other lung diseases. Alveolar collapse (D) is a common complication of silicosis, but it is not a distinctive feature that can be viewed on lung biopsy or autopsy.