Lung Maturation
_Pseudoglandular (5-17 weeks)
No gas exchange zones
Lung resembles an exocrine gland
_Canalicular (17-25 weeks)
Terminal bronchioles enlarge and branch 2-3 respiratory bronchioles then 3-6 alveolar ducts. Terminal sacs begin to form
_VAscularized – caudal slower than cranial
_Terminal sac (25 weeks to 34 weeks) – blood flow and surfactant
Epithelium thins to become type I like
Capillaries grow in
Blood air barrier forms
_Type I and type II cells
Surfactant reduces surface tension allowing expansion.
_Alveolar period (late fetal to childhood)
Surfactant
Gas exchange
Pulmonary vs systemic circulation
Alveoli mature from age 3-8. Numbers increase from 50 million at birth and 300 million at age 8 (adult number)