Abstract
On gross examination the lungs of older people are lighter, whilst microscopically the thickness of the alveolar wall is reduced and the number of capillaries is decreased. Although there is no loss in the total number of alveoli they are increased in size with a reduction in the thickness of the elastic fibres in the bundles surrounding the alveolar ducts. The normal function of the elastic tissue is to maintain the patency of the small airways and this is impaired in old age.
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© 1979 A. N. Exton-Smith and P. W. Overstall
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Exton-Smith, A.N., Overstall, P.W. (1979). Respiratory system. In: Geriatrics. Guidelines in Medicine, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7191-5_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7191-5_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-7193-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-7191-5
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