Acinar lung refers to the organization of lung tissue into acini, which are the functional units responsible for gas exchange distal to the terminal (lobular) bronchioles.
Acinar Components
The acini are composed of several key structures:
- Bronchioli respiratorii (respiratory bronchioles)
- Ductuli alveolares (alveolar ducts)
- Alveoli (air sacs)
- Local pulmonary vessels
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Respiratory Bronchioles | Transition between conducting airways and gas exchange regions. |
| Alveolar Ducts | Airways lined with alveoli. |
| Alveoli | Tiny air sacs where gas exchange between air and blood occurs. |
| Pulmonary Vessels | Blood vessels that facilitate gas exchange in the alveoli (oxygen and carbon dioxide). |
Function
The primary function of the acinar lung is gas exchange, where oxygen is taken up by the blood and carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.
