Developmental and Physiologicalaging of the Lung

Lung development and aging is a continuum that begins in utero and continues throughout life. This chapter provides a brief overview of the aging lung along with information on how the lung changes with age in the rat, which due to its size and lifespan is ideal for studies of the maturing lung. The dynamics of lung growth, development, and aging are a continuous process, which involves every tissue compartment of the lungs. As such changes may influence the response of the lungs to inhaled chemical agents and dusts, the age of any animal model should be considered in the evaluation of any experimental study. Changes in cell number, size, and function associated with aging are likely to impact on lung physiology, metabolism, and immunity. Such changes could significantly alter the normal functions of the lung and its susceptibility to injury.