From airways to alveoli: a 3-D perspective of lung structure

Three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction techniques used to assess the configuration and composition of the lung and its cellular constituents are reviewed. Advantages and limitations of 3-D reconstructions are also addressed. It is argued that 3-D reconstructions will continue to provide shape and conformational information on structural features associated with air flow (airways), gas exchange (parenchymal structure) and cell physiology (cell structure). Although laborious, 3-D reconstruction provides information and insight on lung structure not available through other means