[Mathematical study of size distribution of alveolar mononuclear cells (CMA) in man].

The mathematical study using the Wicksell transformation of the size distribution of the mononuclear alveolar cells has shown two different populations among the alveolar macrophages obtained from 4 adult men. These two types of cells could be also found out and described by electron microscopy. The large cells (14 microns in diameter) looked like the "alveolar macrophage ", with many phagolysosomes. The small cells (7 microns in diameter), less numerous (1/3 of the whole population) resembled monocytes. These data in man are compared to those found in rabbits and the role ot two kinds of cells is discussed.