Modeling of lung morphogenesis using fractal geometries

Abstract

The fractal dimension (D/sub F/) is one measure of the space-filling features of a self-similar structure. Additionally, since D/sub F/ varies with branching level, there may be potential critical locations that are functionality important. The authors introduce an algorithm that models lung airway structures and uses computer simulations of growth based on fractal concepts. Under these conditions, limits imposed by simple boundary constraints generate structures that are in good agreement with actual morphometric data.