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Lung Histology
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Lung histology is organized around keeping distances as short as possible. Picture many air spaces separated by extremely thin walls. Each wall contains epithelium, supporting tissue, and capillaries filled with blood.
Type I pneumocytes are flat cells that form the air-blood barrier. Type II pneumocytes make surfactant, a substance that lowers surface tension and helps keep the alveoli from closing when you breathe out.
In brief
In lung histology, the alveoli are separated by septa made of epithelium, supporting tissue, and an extensive network of capillaries. Together, they create a very thin barrier between air and blood.
Picture alveolar walls so thin that only a minimal barrier separates air from blood.
Type I pneumocytes are very thin squamous cells that support gas exchange. Type II pneumocytes secrete surfactant, a substance that lowers surface tension and helps keep the alveolus from collapsing during exhalation.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology InformationHistology, LungPublished
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