Pneumocyte
Encyclopedia
Two types of pneumocytes (also named pneumonocyte) contribute to the maintenance of the alveoli of the lungs: Type I pneumocyte
s and Type II pneumocyte
s. These cells function to aid in gas exchange, secretion of pulmonary surfactant
, and self-regeneration
Type I pneumocyte
Type I pneumocytes are responsible for gas exchange in the alveoli and cover a majority of the alveolar surface area . While type I pneumocytes account for most of the surface area, they are approximately half as numerous as type II cells, due to differences in size...
s and Type II pneumocyte
Type II pneumocyte
Type II pneumocytes also called great alveolar cells or septal cells are granular and roughly cuboidal in shape. Type II pneumocytes are typically found at the alveolar-septal junction...
s. These cells function to aid in gas exchange, secretion of pulmonary surfactant
Surfactant
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that between a liquid and a solid...
, and self-regeneration