A knowledge of the physiology of aging is necessary in understanding the medical problems of the elderly. Far-reaching effects results from such diverse changes as increased density and decreased water content of connective tissue, reduced estrogen production, reduced respiratory ciliary function, diminished efficiency of the pulmonary macrophages and decreases in brain and renal mass.
了解衰老生理学对于理解老年人的医学问题是必要的。诸如结缔组织密度增加和含水量减少、雌激素分泌减少、呼吸道纤毛功能降低、肺巨噬细胞效率降低以及脑和肾质量减少等多种变化会产生深远影响。