Pulmonary surfactant

Definition

Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins produced by cells in the lungs, which reduces surface tension within the alveoli to prevent their collapse during exhalation. This substance is crucial for efficient gas exchange and lung stability.

Related terms

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air we breathe and the bloodstream.

Surface Tension: A physical property of liquids that makes them behave as if they are covered with an elastic skin, due to the cohesive forces between liquid molecules at the surface.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS): A condition often seen in premature infants whose lungs have not produced enough surfactant, leading to difficulty breathing