A numerical identification syterm for airways in the lung

Abstract

A numerical system for identifying airways at any level in the tracheobronchial tree has been developed which appears to be simple, logical, and accurate. The system has been successfully used in the authors' laboratory to expedite morphometric studies of the conducting airways in the tracheobronchial tree. Three simple and direct criteria or rules have been formulated for assignment of an airway identification number (AIN) to any specific pulmonary airway, according to this identification system. Some specific applications of this AIN system have been enumerated and several limitations that the authors have recognized have been described. Workers in the fields of bronchial morphometry and anatomy are invited to consider the possible theoretic and practical utility of this airway identification system.