Senile lungs are characterized by a homogeneous enlargement of the alveolar airspaces,
without fibrosis or destruction of their walls. Study of the functional characteristics of excised
senile lungs showed an increase in minimal air and a shift to the left of the elastic recoil
pressure-volume curves, less pronounced than in emphysematous lungs. Maximal
expiratory volumes and flows were normal. Total lung capacity was not significantly
increased, but this may be a consequence of preagonal edema. Comparison of normal …