77) Explanation HMD is also known as respiratory distress syn | Anatomy embryology histology videos & books

77) Explanation

HMD is also known as respiratory distress syndrome, which is most often caused by the lack of lung surfactant, due to a premature birth. Lung surfactant production begins around 20 weeks after fertilization. But it is present only in small amounts until the last 2 weeks before birth when its amount increases significantly. Alveolar ducts (choice A) branch from the respiratory bronchioles during development. Type I alveolar cells (choice D) or pneumocytes are squamous epithelial cells, which participate in gas exchange. These epithelial cells line the terminal saccules (choice C). Type II alveolar cells (choice E) synthesize surfactant.