Quain's Elements of Anatomy Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ... outer and posterior diameters of the right and left lungs respectively are in the male 203 mm. and 176 mm., and in the female 176 mm. and 162 mm. The transverse diameter at the base is in the male 13.ri mm. (right) and 129 mm. (left), and in the female 122 mm. (right) and 108 mm. (left). These numbers are also taken from Kranse (quoted by Vierordt). Physical properties.--The substance of the lung is of a light porous spongy texture, and, when healthy, is buoyant in water: but in the foetus, before respiration has taken place, and also in certain cases of congestion, collapse, or consolidation from disease, the entire lungs, or portions of them, sink in that fluid. The specific gravity of a healthy lung, as found after death, varies from 0345 to 0-746. When the lung is fully distended its specific gravity is 0-126, whilst that of the pulmonary substance, entirely deprived of air, is 1056 (Kranse). When pressed between the fingers, the lungs impart a crepitant sensation, which is accompanied by a peculiar noise, both effects being cansed by the air contained in the tissue. On cutting into the lung, the same crepitation is heard, and there exudes from the cut surface a reddish frothy fluid, which is partly mucus from the air-tubes and aircells, and partly serum of blood, rendered frothy by the admixed air. The pulmonary tissue is endowed with great elasticity, in consequence of which the lungs collapse to about one-third of their bulk when the thorax is opened. Owing to this elasticity also, the lungs, if artificially inflated out of the body, contract to their previous volume when the air is again allowed to escape. In infancy the lungs are of a pale rose-pink colour, which might be compared to blood-froth; but as life advances they become...