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Electron-microscopic studies on the development of the lungs of rats (16 days a.p.-10 days p.p.)

Zeitschrift für Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte, ISSN: 0340-2061, Vol: 134, Issue: 3, Page: 343-360
1971
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  • Citations
    6
    • Citation Indexes
      6

Article Description

We studied the lungs of foetal rats from day 16 a.p to day 10 p.p under the light and electron microscope. On day 16 the lungs show glandular character. The vessels lie deeply embedded in the mesenchyma and are not in contact with the as yet undifferentiated epithelial cells. On day 18 we saw a beginning differentiation in the typ I cells (membranous pneumonocytes) and typ II cells (granular pneumonocytes). Lamellar bodies first appeared in the typ II cells on day 19. Coupled with the differentiation of the various epithelia, the vessels move closer towards them. The number of pneumomeres increases by dichotomous growth. With the growing together of the specific parts of the pulmonary tissue the connective tissue space decreases relatively in size. In the following days leading up to birth it is squeezed together in a "septa-fashion" and therefore influences the lungs structurally at the same time, especially the terminal lung regions. The vessels also influence the structural development of the pulmonary tissue to a large extent, in particular through their arrangement around the epithelial buds and their approach towards the alveolar lumen. The bloodgas-barrier becomes thereby functionally developed before birth on day 22. It consists of epithelial surface cells, fused epithelial and endothelial basal membranes and very flattened endothelial cells. It can therefore be used as a morphological criterion of the maturity of the lungs and hereby as an evaluation of the individual as a whole. An equal importance can also be attached to the timely development of the surfactant. The mechanisms leading to the unfolding of the alveoli are discussed. © 1971 Springer-Verlag.

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