Type II pneumocyte

There are three major cell types in the alveolar wall (pneumocytes):

• Type I (Squamous Alveolar) cells that form the structure of an alveolar wall
• Type II (Great Alveolar) cells that secrete pulmonary surfactant to lower the surface tension of water and allows the membrane to separate, therefore increasing its capability to exchange gases. Surfactant is continuously released by exocytosis. It forms an underlying aqueous protein-containing hypophase and an overlying phospholipid film composed primarily of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine.
• Macrophages that destroy foreign material, such as bacteria.