A scanning electron microscopic study of alkali-digested human and rabbit alveoli.
Elastic fibers are fairly uniform in the size around all alveolar orifices and taper and branch continuously in the alveolar wall to form a spiderweb-like structure. Unusually large gaps of the elastic fiber network in the alveolar wall frequently show coiled ends or tissue debris at the margin. The latex-filled capillaries interweave and intersect with the elastic fibers and in many of these places appear to angulate or narrow acutely; these angulations may alter with lung inflation, affecting pulmonary vascular resistance. Disruption of fine elastic fibers in the alveolar wall could be related to the development of pulmonary emphysema.
D000468:Alkalies; D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D011817:Rabbits
D000468:Alkalies