Biomaterial Database

A mathematical model for the morphology of the pulmonary acinus. 1996

E Denny, and R C Schroter

Centre for Biological and Medical Systems, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, England.

A computational method is proposed for the construction of a three-dimensional space-filling model of an acinar ventilatory unit. Its geometry consists of truncated octahedra arranged in a cuboidal block. The ducts and alveoli are formed by opening specific common faces between polyhedra. The branching structure is automatically computed using algorithms solely to maximise the number of alveoli and minimise the average path lengths; it is not formed with reference to published experimental data. Properties of the model such as the total alveolar and ductal volumes, the distribution of individual path lengths to the alveolar sacs, and the average number of ducts per generation are calculated. The predicted morphology of the model compares well with published data for rat lungs.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008168	Lung	Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood.	Lungs
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D011650	Pulmonary Alveoli	Small polyhedral outpouchings along the walls of the alveolar sacs, alveolar ducts and terminal bronchioles through the walls of which gas exchange between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood takes place.	Alveoli, Pulmonary,Alveolus, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Alveolus
D011659	Pulmonary Gas Exchange	The exchange of OXYGEN and CARBON DIOXIDE between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood that occurs across the BLOOD-AIR BARRIER.	Exchange, Pulmonary Gas,Gas Exchange, Pulmonary
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D051381	Rats	The common name for the genus Rattus.	Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus