On the nature of the pulmonary alveolar lining and the origin of the alveolar phagocyte

Abstract

1. The alveoli possess an epithelial lining.2. This epithelium is composed of flat nucleated cells. The existence of the non -nucleated cells has not been demonstrated.3. In addition to the purely epithelial cells, certain cuboidal cells, "septal cells," are found which have been demonstrated to have a phagocytic function and to stain specifically with Hortega's silver carbonate. These are part of the reticuloendothelial system and give rise by mitosis to the free alveolar phagocytes.