What question did this study set out to answer?

Characterize the thickness, morphology, and continuity of the alveolar lining layer and surfactant subphase in intact, air-filled lungs.

November 1, 1995Journal of Applied Physiology

Alveolar lining layer is thin and continuous: low-temperature scanning electron microscopy of rat lung

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Authors

JBJ. BastackyUniversity of Iowa CLC. Y. LeeLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory JGJon GoerkeUniversity of California, San Francisco

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Implication

Cryogenic electron microscopy reveals a continuous 0.2-micron alveolar lining layer in rat lungs, indicating that liquid film smooths the internal air-liquid interface.

Key Points

Characterize the thickness, morphology, and continuity of the alveolar lining layer and surfactant subphase in intact, air-filled lungs.
Stabilized air-filled lungs of anesthetized rats at 15-cmH2O transpulmonary pressure using rapid metal mirror cryofixation to limit ice crystal size to 10 nm.
Imaged cross fractures of outermost subpleural alveolar walls with low-temperature scanning electron microscopy across 9 rats, examining 20 walls, 16 junctions, and 146 distinct areas.
Liquid lining thickness averaged 0.14 µm over flat wall sections, 0.89 µm at wall junctions, and 0.09 µm over protruding cellular features, producing an area-weighted average thickness of 0.2 µm.
The lining layer forms an unbroken, continuous coating that submerges epithelial cell microvilli and junctional ridges, smoothing the alveolar air-liquid interface under zone 1 or 2 conditions.

Cite This Study

Bastacky et al. (1995) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7b70ab14b028facf0ed37c https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1995.79.5.1615

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Implication

Cryogenic electron microscopy reveals a continuous 0.2-micron alveolar lining layer in rat lungs, indicating that liquid film smooths the internal air-liquid interface.

Alveolar lining layer is thin and continuous: low-temperature scanning electron microscopy of rat lung

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Alveolar lining layer is thin and continuous: low-temperature scanning electron microscopy of rat lung

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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