ALVEOLAR CLEARANCE AND ROLE OF PULMONARY LYMPHATICS

Abstract

Gross and microscopic anatomy of the pulmonary lymphatics are presented. A scheme of alveolar clearance deduced from experimental studies using intra tracheally instilled tracer particles in neonatal rabbits is described. The elective function of the lymphatics in clearing only toxic substances from the alveoli was rejected because they seem to serve a more general and widespread role in the alveolar clearance.