Alveolar wall relations.

Abstract

We have presented a highly dynamic view of the alveolar septum and its main enclosed structure, the dense capillary network. The septal or perimicrovascular interstitium is the space between alveolar epithelial sheets after exclusion of the capillary network. It contains cells, fibers, and a viscous matrix. Capillaries form a very complex network, which closely follows the geometry of the terminal airways and participates in functional adaptations of the wall, particularly septal pleating. The level of filling and configuration of different capillaries ranging from collapse to full distension are variable, depending on factors such as transmural balance of forces but also on tissular configuration. Alveolar flooding of any cause will produce an immediate change of capillary configuration and volume.