The aging respiratory system.
In this review article, the effects of old age on lung structure and function are discussed. Changes in lung morphology and biochemistry are correlated with changes in lung mechanics and gas exchange, as well as with the respiratory system's adaptability to the stresses of exercise and sleep. The effects of aging on the lungs' defense mechanisms are related to pulmonary diseases of the elderly.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000276:immunology; D003011:Closing Volume; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000502:physiology; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D008449:Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012115:Residual Volume; D012119:Respiration; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology; D014797:Vital Capacity
D009696:Nucleic Acids; D011506:Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin