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Hematologic Abnormalities and Acute Lung Syndromes pp 3–17Cite as

The Lung–Blood Interface

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Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

Abstract

The human lung is exquisitely structured to carry out the essential function of gas exchange. The architecture of the lung is characterized by generations of dichotomous branching airways and vessels resulting in the generation of an enormous total surface area for gas exchange. The extremely thin alveolar-capillary membrane is optimized for the transfer of oxygen from the airspaces to the blood compartment and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood compartment to the airspaces. Majority of the surface area of the alveolar membrane consists of alveolar epithelial type 1 cells; however, alveolar surface tension and fluid homeostasis is maintained mainly by alveolar epithelial type 2 cells. The lung is constantly exposed to environmental particulate matters, antigens, aspirated particles, and inhaled microbial pathogens, but is protected by a complex immune defense mechanism comprised of the mucociliary clearance system, secreted molecules, recruited neutrophils, the mononuclear phagocyte system, dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells. However, the delicate structure of the lungs, evolutionarily designed to optimally serve the core function of gas exchange, predisposes the lungs to injury, and as presented in the following chapters, abnormalities of the hematologic system can lead to acute lung dysfunction.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are supported by research funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (Award Number: HL086884) and the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Award Number: AI119042).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Peng Zhang MD & Janet S. Lee MD

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  1. Peng Zhang MD
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  2. Janet S. Lee MD
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Correspondence to Janet S. Lee MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Janet S. Lee

  2. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Michael P. Donahoe

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Zhang, P., Lee, J.S. (2017). The Lung–Blood Interface. In: Lee, J., Donahoe, M. (eds) Hematologic Abnormalities and Acute Lung Syndromes. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41912-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41912-1_1

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