Back to Applications      Back to Cryo-SEM Library

Mouse Lung - Critical-Point Dried

The lung consists of a mass of spongy alveoli where gaseous exchange occurs between blood and air. These are connected to the trachea via small airways called bronchioles. The micrograph illustrates a mass of alveoli (a) associated with alveolar ducts into which the bronchioles open (b) A mass of capillaries are associated with the alveoli. The walls of the alveoli (septa) are composed of epithelial cells, connective tissue and elastin. The walls are generally one cell thick and highly hydrated. Consequently conventional preparation methods such as dehydration followed by critical point drying cause collapse and shrinkage of this very delicate tissue.

Bar -5um, inset 10um