Here's a breakdown of its components:
* Alveolar epithelium: This is the thin layer of cells that lines the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
* Capillary endothelium: This is the inner lining of the blood capillaries that surround the alveoli.
* Basement membranes: Thin layers of connective tissue that lie between the alveolar and capillary epithelium.
The respiratory membrane is incredibly thin, allowing for efficient diffusion of oxygen from the alveoli into the capillaries and carbon dioxide from the capillaries into the alveoli.
