Although the pathogenesis of the so-called shock lung is different, from the clinical point of view the syndrome is uniform. Regarding the morphology microcirculation, vascular permeability and surfactant of the lung in shock lung are discussed. The course of the alterations in lung parenchyma is uniform, independent of the different pathogenesis in a single case. Pathology and disturbtion of lung function are conform. The relation of the so-called shock lung to other diseases of lung parenchyma is discussed and finally a definition of the so-called shock-lung recommended.