title: Architecture of the lung: morphology and function.
abstract: The architecture of the lung is discussed with special focus on lung parenchyma. The lung parenchyma is mainly comprised of numerous air-containing passages and intervening fine structures, corresponding to alveolar ductal lumens and alveoli, as well as alveolar septa and small pulmonary vessels occupying 10% of total parenchymal volume. The shapes and relative arrangements of alveolar ducts and alveoli are discussed in detail, which is followed by a brief description of bronchial circulation and pulmonary lymphatics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Fukui Faculty of Medical Sciences, Matsuoka-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Harumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Mizuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishino
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatabu
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001995:Bronchography; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014699:Venules / Q000033:anatomy & histology