[Present views of prenatal morphogenesis of human lung]

Published and original data on human lung morphogenesis during prenatal development are reviewed. Morphofunctional description of the lung at various phases of prenatal morphogenesis is given. Differentiation of various lung structures, surfactant system, development of intrapulmonary fluid, and the onset of breathing movements of the fetus are considered in chronological order. The "critical periods" when the fetal respiratory organs are most sensitive to unfavorable factors are considered. Morphofunctional tests for lung maturity are described applicable for predicting lung pathology of human fetus.