title: The fetal lung. 1: Developmental aspects.
abstract: A literature survey is presented on normal fetal development during the embryonic, pseudoglandular, canalicular, saccular and alveolar stages in the human fetus. Normal anatomical and physiological aspects of fetal lung development including the fetal pulmonary circulation are described. Factors which may influence fetal lung growth and consequently may play a role in the development of pulmonary hypoplasia are discussed, such as intrauterine and intrathoracic space, lung fluid, fetal breathing movements, normal balance of volume and pressure in the lung and interference with the blood supply.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Rotterdam,  Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam,  The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Laudy
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wladimiroff
mesh_terms: D001826:Body Fluids; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors