Alveolar surface tension and surfactant
From WikiLectures
Attractive forces between liquid surfactant molecules result in surface tension. Surfactants disrupt these attractions and therefore help prevent alveolar collapse and increase compliance.
Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine is amphiphilic and is the major surfactant in alveoli. It is secreted by type II alveolar cells.
References
Costanzo, L., 2019. Physiology - Board Review Series. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, p.121.
