- Startpagina tijdschrift
- Volume 2 (1983)
- Number 1 - Apr. 1983
- Length densities and minimum diameter distributions of the air and blood capillaries of the paleopulmo and neopulmo of the avian lung
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Length densities and minimum diameter distributions of the air and blood capillaries of the paleopulmo and neopulmo of the avian lung
Abstract
The paleopulmo and neopulmo regions of the lungs of 5 mature wild Collared Turtle Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) have been analysed morphometrically. The number and theminimum diameters of the profiles of air and bloodcapillaries, and consequently their length densities, wereestimated. Size distribution models were computed. Thelog normal fit of the air capillaries was better than thatof the blood capillaries.
There were no significant differences in the diametersand length densities of the air and blood capillaries in thepaleopulmo and neopulmo regions. It has been suggested that, contrary to the proposed functional differences in gas exchange capacities in the paleo- and neopulmo, there appear to be no differences in the dimensions of the gas exchange units in these two grossly distinct parts of the avian lung.