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Related Concept Videos

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...
Gas Exchange and Transport01:20

Gas Exchange and Transport

Gas exchange, the intake of molecular oxygen (O2) from the environment and the outflow of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment, is necessary for cellular function. Gas exchange during respiration occurs largely via the movement of gas molecules along pressure gradients. Gas travels from areas of higher partial pressure to areas of lower partial pressure. In mammals, gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, which are adjacent to capillaries and share a membrane with them.
Physical Principles Governing Gas Exchange01:16

Physical Principles Governing Gas Exchange

Gas behavior plays a vital role in understanding bodily processes such as external and internal respiration. External respiration involves the diffusion of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of it in the lungs. In contrast, internal respiration happens in body tissues, where these gases move in opposite directions.
Gas Laws Governing Respiration
The behavior of gases is guided by Dalton's Law of partial pressures and Henry's Law.
Dalton's Law asserts that the total pressure exerted by...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities01:22

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

The respiratory system is responsible for the intake of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide from the body. Respiratory volumes describe the volume of air in the lungs at different phases of the respiratory cycle. Tidal volume is the air breathed in and out during normal, quiet breathing. Inspiratory reserve volume is the air that can be forcefully inspired beyond the tidal volume. In contrast, expiratory reserve volume refers to the air that can be expelled from the lungs after a normal...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

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

A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways

Published on: May 9, 2016

Airway gas flow.

Merryn H Tawhai1, Ching-Long Lin

  • 1Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. m.tawhai@auckland.ac.nz

Comprehensive Physiology
|June 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Computational fluid dynamics reveals complex lung airflow patterns, moving beyond simple models. This technology enables detailed, subject-specific respiratory system analysis for better understanding of particle transport and airflow dynamics.

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Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary medicine
  • Biophysics
  • Computational science

Background:

  • Lung airflow distribution is influenced by airway resistance and tissue compliance.
  • Simple models of airways as smooth cylinders are inadequate for predicting particle transport and energy dissipation.
  • Advances in imaging and computation enable detailed airflow analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the utility of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in analyzing human respiratory airflow.
  • To identify key anatomical factors influencing airflow structures within the respiratory tract.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model airflow in anatomically accurate, subject-specific lung domains.
  • Analyzing airflow characteristics, including turbulent laryngeal jets and airway geometry.

Main Results:

  • CFD provides detailed insights into airflow mechanics in the human respiratory tract.
  • Airway geometry, branching angles, and laryngeal jet development significantly impact airflow structures.
  • Subject-specific airflow computation is now feasible.

Conclusions:

  • Computational fluid dynamics is a powerful tool for understanding lung airflow dynamics.
  • Anatomically detailed and subject-specific CFD models enhance predictions of particle transport and airflow.
  • This approach allows for comparative studies across individuals, ages, and species.