Membranous bronchioles and connective tissue network of normal and emphysematous lungs

E. K. Verbeken, M. Cauberghs, and K. P. Van De Woestijne Laboratorium voor Pathologische Ontleedkunde I and Laboratorium voor Pneumologie, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen St. Rafaël en Gasthuisberg, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium Received 10 July 1995; accepted in final form 18 July 1996. Verbeken, E. K., M. Cau...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physiology (1985) 1996-12, Vol.81 (6), p.2468-2480
Main Authors: Verbeken, E. K, Cauberghs, M, Van De Woestijne, K. P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airway Obstruction - pathology
Biological and medical sciences
Bronchi - ultrastructure
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Connective Tissue - anatomy & histology
Emphysema - pathology
Humans
Lung - ultrastructure
Medical sciences
Microscopy, Electron
Pneumology
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Summary:E. K. Verbeken, M. Cauberghs, and K. P. Van De Woestijne Laboratorium voor Pathologische Ontleedkunde I and Laboratorium voor Pneumologie, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen St. Rafaël en Gasthuisberg, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium Received 10 July 1995; accepted in final form 18 July 1996. Verbeken, E. K., M. Cauberghs, and K. P. Van de Woestijne. Membranous bronchioles and connective tissue network of normal and emphysematous lungs. J. Appl. Physiol. 81(6): 2468-2480, 1996. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the septal system of normal human lungs revealed that airways course within the interlobular septa, i.e., between the two blades formed by the peripheral boundaries of adjacent lobuli of whatever order, and enter the supplied pulmonary unit at its side. This is not in keeping with the classic view of a peripheral airway in the center of a lung unit and submitted to radial traction by attached alveolar septa. The basic design of the lung fibrous scaffold appears to be in conformity with the laws of fractal geometry. Similar reconstructions in centrilobular emphysema disclosed tortuosities of both intra-acinar and interlobular septa, with consequent distortions of the corresponding intraseptal bronchioles and collapse of lung units of different sizes. It is suggested that in centrilobular emphysema competition for space, besides intrinsic airways narrowing because of inflammation and loss of elastic recoil, is a cause of flow limitation. airway obstruction; emphysema; fibrous septa; fractals; competition for space 0161-7567/96 $5.00 Copyright © 1996 the American Physiological Society
ISSN:8750-7587
1522-1601
DOI:10.1152/jappl.1996.81.6.2468