Characteristics of bovine lung as observed by scanning electron microscopy.

The surface characteristics of the intrapulmonary airways and alveoli of the lungs from 12 young adult cattle examined by the scanning electron microscope are described. When compared with similar studies of the lungs of various other mammalian species, the bovine lung generally resembles that of other mammals except for several important features: (1) Alveolar pores of Kohn are small and extremely rare; (2) Alveolar macrophages are seldom seen in alveolar air spaces; (3) Interlobular septa completely separate the lung into distinct lobules.