The alveoli are located in the respiratory zone of the lungs, at the distal termination of the

alveolar ducts and atria. These air sacs are the forming and termination point of the respiratory
tract. They provide total surface area of about 75 m2.[5]

Bronchial anatomy
A typical pair of human lungs contain about 700 million alveoli,[6] producing 70m2 of surface
area.[7] Each alveolus is wrapped in a fine mesh of capillaries covering about 70% of its area. An
adult alveolus has an average diameter of 200 micrometres, with an increase in diameter during
inhalation.[8]
The alveoli consist of an epithelial layer and extracellular matrix surrounded by capillaries. In
some alveolar walls there are pores between alveoli called Pores of Kohn. The alveoli contain
some collagen and elastic fibres. The elastic fibers allow the alveoli to stretch as they are filled
with air during inhalation. They then spring back during exhalation in order to expel the carbon
dioxide-rich air.