Description
The lungs reach functional maturity at around the age of 20 for females and 25 for males. Throughout the remainder of adult life there is a progressive reduction in pulmonary performance. This review describes the anatomical changes which occur with age and describes how these affect lung function. Of greatest importance is the reduction in alveolar surface area with a consequent decrease in diffusing capacity, and the rise in lung compliance which leads to progressively earlier small airway closure and limits lung volumes. It is stressed that for normal individuals these age related changes do not cause any incapacity, though they do make the older lungs more susceptible to superimposed pathological change.
