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Review
. 1993 Sep;8(3):160-7.

Pulmonary defense mechanisms

G B Toews  1
Affiliations
  • PMID: 8016475
Review

Pulmonary defense mechanisms

G B Toews. Semin Respir Infect. 1993 Sep.

Abstract

The airways and gas-exchanging surfaces of the lung are an important interface between the host and the external environment. Potentially injurious particulates and gases continuously impact on this extensive epithelial surface. The pulmonary defense apparatus, which uses anatomic barriers, aerodynamics, soluble factors and a multitude of cellular processes, protects the airways and the alveolar surfaces so that gas exchange between the host and the environment can occur.

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