[jamie]

What would happen if the aveoli (in the lungs) were to burst? Can they burst?

[nishant_yagnick]

Basically, u'd die.
Ok, to explain, there are conditions in which the alveoli burst.specially under old age, many deaths take place due to filling of fluid from the blood, filling up the alveolar spaces in the lungs.in some acute cases of pneumonia also, the alveoli which are swollen, and releasing lotsa mucus and are inflames, can burst.also if a lotta air, is forcefully pumped into u(no joke), suppose you give cpr to a kid, whose lungs are not yet developed, you could essentially burst his alveoli.besides pneumonia, there are other diseases also that can because bursting of alveoli.well, this would lead to a lotta complications, even if an only insignificant number get burst, they could still lead to severe internal haemorrhaging.the problems with alveoli bursting, is mainly that its practically inoperable. There are methods to effect the alveoli, but those are mainly chemical, not through surgery.burst capillaries can mend themselves, but if the number is significant... :-X... ither than that, basically your breathing will stop, u'll be put on an iron lung, and well,if things don't go well fast enugh, then your screwed.