Visualization of layers lining the lung of the South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) and a comparison with the frog and rat.

ABSTRACT

Comarisons have been made of the structure of layers lining the lungs of lungfish, frog and rat using material fixed by perfusion of the pulmonary circulation of physiological pressures and at normal air pressures within the lung. The lining consists of a thin densely osmiophilic surface layer which covers a much thicker hypophase of generally floccular appearance. Tubular myelin, present in the frog and rat lung lining, was not observed in the layers lining the lung of Lepidosiren.