Definition : Anatomy.—The acinus is a structural unit of the lung distal to a terminal bronchiole
and is supplied by first-order respiratory bronchioles; it contains alveolar ducts
and alveoli. It is the largest unit in which all airways participate in gas exchange
and is approximately 6–10 mm in diameter. One secondary pulmonary lobule contains
between three and 25 acini (4). Radiographs and CT scans.—Individual normal acini
are not visible, but acinar arteries can occasionally be identified on thin-section
CT scans. Accumulation of pathologic material in acini may be seen as poorly defined
nodular opacities on chest radiographs and thin-section CT images. (See also nodules.)
[Fleischner Society];
Anatomy.—The acinus is a structural unit of the lung distal to a terminal bronchiole
and is supplied by first-order respiratory bronchioles; it contains alveolar ducts
and alveoli. It is the largest unit in which all airways participate in gas exchange
and is approximately 6–10 mm in diameter. One secondary pulmonary lobule contains
between three and 25 acini (4). Radiographs and CT scans.—Individual normal acini
are not visible, but acinar arteries can occasionally be identified on thin-section
CT scans. Accumulation of pathologic material in acini may be seen as poorly defined
nodular opacities on chest radiographs and thin-section CT images. (See also nodules.)
[Fleischner Society]