ABSTRACT
Kent E. Pinkerton, Charles G. Plopper; Dallas M. Hyde, Jack R. Harkema, Walter S. Tyler, Kevin T. Morgan, Judith A. St. George, . Michael Kay and Andrew Mariassy
C O N T E N T S
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environment. The internal surfaces of the human lungs cover an area approximately 25 times greater than the external surfaces of the body. From the nose to the alveolus, the respiratory tract facilitates a number of functions including gas exchange, conditioning of the air, removal of inhaled particles, metabolism of xenobiotic compounds, and protection against noxious and injurious agents. The cellular composition and unique anatomical makeup of the nasopharynx, tracheobronchial tree, and parenchyma are optimally designed to bring about each of these functions. The purpose of this section is to discuss the structure and function of the lower respiratory tract. The macroscopic anatomy of the nasopharynx and conducting airways and the cells populating these structures will be reviewed, along with the tissues and cells forming the gas exchange portions of the lung parenchyma.
