Chapter 23.5, Problem 40AYP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The meaning of pleural pressure and the effect on alveolar volume when pleural pressure decreases and the factor that causes pleural pressure to be lower than intra-alveolar pressure.

Introduction:

Alveolar ventilation is the measure of the volume of air that is available for gas exchange per minute. Lung recoil and pleural pressure affect the ability of alveoli to increase and decrease in volume during breathing.