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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
The Respiratory System01:16

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system is comprised of the organs that enable breathing. Air enters the nostrils and mouth, followed by the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box), which lead to the trachea (windpipe). In the thoracic cavity, the trachea splits into two bronchi that allow air to enter the lungs. The bronchi split into progressively smaller bronchioles and terminate in small groups of tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.
External and Internal Respiration01:24

External and Internal Respiration

External respiration occurs in the lungs, and it is the first step in the journey of oxygen inside the body. When we inhale, oxygen enters our lungs and diffuses across the thin alveolar membrane. The alveoli are tiny, air-filled sacs that provide a vast surface area for gas exchange. Oxygen in the alveoli has a higher partial pressure (105 mmHg) than in the adjacent pulmonary capillaries (40 mmHg), establishing a pressure gradient. As a result, oxygen molecules move from the alveoli into the...
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
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
09:39

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Published on: May 9, 2016

Respiratory microflows in the pulmonary acinus.

Josué Sznitman1

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 32000 Haifa, Israel. sznitman@bm.technion.ac.il

Journal of Biomechanics
|November 27, 2012
PubMed
Summary

This review details pulmonary acinar airflow and its impact on inhaled aerosol deposition. Understanding these complex fluid dynamics is crucial for predicting particle fate in the lungs.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Aerosol Science

Background:

  • Pulmonary acinar fluid mechanics have been significantly re-evaluated.
  • Inhaled aerosol behavior in the lungs is critical for drug delivery and toxicology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on acinar convective airflows.
  • To explore the role of these flows in inhaled aerosol deposition.
  • To discuss challenges and future directions in acinar flow dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of computational and experimental studies.
  • Analysis of bolus studies and alveolar cavity flow topologies.
  • Dimensional analysis of deposition mechanisms.

Main Results:

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  • Complex flow topologies exist in alveolar cavities.
  • Convective mechanisms generate kinematic irreversibility in low-Reynolds-number flows.
  • Coupling of diffusive, convective, and sedimentation mechanisms for aerosol deposition.

Conclusions:

  • Acinar flow dynamics significantly influence aerosol deposition.
  • Accurate prediction of particle deposition remains challenging.
  • Novel approaches are needed to resolve acinar flow dynamics at scale.