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Image illustrating transpulmonary, intrapleural and intra-alveolar pressure. Alveolar pressure (P alv) is the pressure of air inside the lung alveoli. When the glottis is opened and no air is flowing into or out of the lungs, alveolar pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure, that is, zero cmH 2 O. [1] [2]
The alveolar oxygen partial pressure is lower than the atmospheric O 2 partial pressure for two reasons. Firstly, as the air enters the lungs, it is humidified by the upper airway and thus the partial pressure of water vapour (47 mmHg) reduces the oxygen partial pressure to about 150 mmHg.
Alveolar pressure (PA) at end expiration is equal to atmospheric pressure (0 cm H 2 O differential pressure, at zero flow), plus or minus 2 cm H 2 O (1.5 mmHg) throughout the lung. On the other hand, gravity causes a gradient in blood pressure between the top and bottom of the lung of 20 mmHg in the erect position (roughly half of that in the ...
Transpulmonary pressure is the difference between the alveolar pressure and the intrapleural pressure in the pleural cavity. During human ventilation, air flows because of pressure gradients. P tp = P alv – P ip. Where P tp is transpulmonary pressure, P alv is alveolar pressure, and P ip is intrapleural pressure.
The alveolar air pressure is therefore always close to atmospheric air pressure (about 100 kPa at sea level) at rest, with the pressure gradients because of lungs contraction and expansion cause air to move in and out of the lungs during breathing rarely exceeding 2–3 kPa. [18] [19] During exhalation, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax.
The alveolar air pressure is therefore always close to atmospheric air pressure (about 100 kPa at sea level) at rest, with the pressure gradients that cause air to move in and out of the lungs during breathing rarely exceeding 2–3 kPa. [8] [9] Other muscles that can be involved in inhalation include: [10] External intercostal muscles; Scalene ...
West's Respiratory Physiology states that transpulmonary pressure is "the difference in pressure between the inside and the out- side of the lung (alveoli)" or "is numerically equal to the pressure around the lung when the alveolar pressure is atmospheric" whereas transmural pressure (as relates to the lung) is "The pressure difference between ...
During ventilation, the air movement is generated by the air pressure gradient between the atmosphere and the lungs produced by thoracic muscles and diaphragm contraction. Air is pushed in and out of the lungs as air flows from the higher pressured region to the lower pressured region.