HISTOLOGICAL AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION ON THE ADENOMATOUS HYPERPLASIA OF THE ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL CELL IN THE HUMAN LUNG

Abstract

Histological observation suggests that the cuboid cell of adenomatous hyperplasia originates from pre-existing lining cell of the healthy alveolus. The resemblance in the fine structure of the cuboid cell to that of the alveolar wall cell (type B epithelial cell) provides strong evidence that the alveolar wall cell proliferates in response to pathogenic stimuli and forms the adenomatous hyperplasia in the alveolar area. Furthermore, it is suggested that the alveolar wall cell might play an improtant role in the carcinogenesis of some peripheral lung cancer.