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Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation01:24

Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation

Pulmonary ventilation is a vital process that ensures the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. It refers to the movement of air into and out of the lungs, enabling the body to obtain oxygen and remove waste carbon dioxide. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of pulmonary ventilation, including its underlying principles, mechanisms, and the interplay of pressures within the respiratory system.
Boyle's law becomes particularly pertinent when examining respiratory...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity01:24

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity

Breathing, otherwise known as pulmonary ventilation, is the process of air movement into and out of the lungs. The main mechanisms propelling pulmonary ventilation are atmospheric pressure (Patm), intra-pulmonary (Ppul ) or intra-alveolar pressure (Palv) within the alveoli, and intrapleural pressure (Pip) within the pleural cavity.
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs during...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
Alveoli and Alveolar Ducts01:26

Alveoli and Alveolar Ducts

The respiratory zone of the human body, which stands in contrast to the conducting zone, comprises the structures that actively participate in the exchange of gases. The initiation of this zone is marked by the terminal bronchioles converging into respiratory bronchioles, the tiniest bronchiole classification. The respiratory bronchioles give way to the alveolar ducts that opens into a congregation of alveoli. Actively involved in gas exchange, alveoli resemble tiny sacs similar to clusters of...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation01:19

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
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A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
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Morphometric changes in the human pulmonary acinus during inflation.

A J Hajari1, D A Yablonskiy, A L Sukstanskii

  • 1Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|November 19, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Lung inflation primarily occurs through the recruitment of new alveoli, not just size changes. This study used MRI to reveal how alveoli and alveolar ducts change during breathing in healthy individuals.

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Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary physiology
  • Medical imaging
  • Respiratory mechanics

Background:

  • The precise mechanisms of lung inflation remain debated.
  • Understanding alveolar dynamics is crucial for respiratory health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether lung inflation involves alveolar recruitment or changes in alveolar size/shape.
  • To quantify changes in alveolar dimensions during inspiration.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in vivo (3)He lung morphometry via MRI.
  • Measured average alveolar depth and duct radius at three inspiration levels.
  • Calculated alveolar volume, surface area, and number at each inflation level in five healthy subjects.

Main Results:

  • Lung gas volume increased by 143 ± 18%.
  • Average alveolar depth decreased by 21 ± 5%.
  • Average alveolar duct radius increased by 7 ± 3%.
  • Total alveoli number increased significantly by 96 ± 9% (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions:

  • Lung inflation in healthy humans is predominantly driven by alveolar recruitment.
  • Anisotropic expansion of alveolar ducts contributes to a lesser extent.
  • Findings clarify fundamental aspects of respiratory mechanics.