13.2 Principles of Ventilation

Alveolar Pressure [P(alv)]

Air pressure in pulmonary alveoli

Atmospheric Pressure [P(atm)]

Air pressure surrounding the body (760 mmHg at sea level); also called barometric pressure

Boyle’s Law

Pressure of a fixed amount of gas in a container is inversely proportional to container’s volume

Elastic Recoil

Tendency of an elastic structure to oppose stretching or distortion

Phrenic Nerves

Main motor nerves innervating the diaphragm and providing the impulses to inspire

Transmural Pressure

Pressure difference between inside and outside of a wall

Transpulmonary Pressure [P(tp)]

Difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the lung (alveolar pressure minus the intrapleural pressure)

Ventilation

Air exchange between atmosphere and alveoli