Alveolar histology
Alveolar Histology
Cells that make up the aveoli.
1) Type I Pneumocytes – flat sqm cells (alveolar epithelial cells)
2) Type II – cuboidal cells that do alveolar repair and make surfactant
3) Macrophage – phagocytic fxn; filled w/golden-brown “smoker’s pigment” in smokers
4) Pores of Kohn – connect adjacent alveoli, does collateral ventilation
5) Lambert’s canals – comm. b/w airway and adj alveoli, collateral ventilation
6) Capillary endothelial cells
7) Reticular elastic fibers and myofibroblasts
Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Alveolar epithelial cells refers to Type I and Type II pneumocytes which make up an alveoli. Type I cells compose more than 95% and are involved in gas exchange. Type II cells make surfactant.
Type I Pneumocytes
Type I pneumocytes are flat squamous cells of alveoli that are used for gas exchange. They cover most (more than 95%) of the surface area of an aveoli.
Lung Anatomy
Lung Anatomy
· 3 right lobes; 2 left lobes + lingula; 10 bronchopulm segments bilat w/i lobes
· lobule – smallest gross anatomic compartment of lung (3-5 terminal bronchioles, 30 pulm acini)
· bronchial arteries arise from intercostals and aorta; bronchial veins return to azygos and intercostals veins
· superficial lymphatics along pleural surface; deep (intrapulm) lymph adj to bronchovasc bundle and along interlob septa; connected