DYSANAPSIS IN NORMAL LUNGS ASSESSED BY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAXIMAL FLOW, STATIC RECOIL, AND VITAL CAPACITY

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To quantify the degree of association, if any, between lung size and airway in humans, the ratio of a measurement sensitive to airway size (maximal expiratory flow .div. static recoil pressure at 50% of vital capacity) to one sensitive to lung size (vital capacity) was examined. If lung and airway size changed together, this ratio would be the same for large and small lungs, i.e., for persons with large and small vital capacities. If lung and airway size were independent, then, on average, the ratio would vary as (vital capacity)-1. Data for 21 men 20-50 yr of age showed that the ratio decreased approximately as (vital capacity)-4/3. This is consistent with independence of airway diameter but dependence of airway length on lung size. Data for each of 7 females of comparable age fell below the adult male data (smaller ratios at a given size), as did data for 5 boys less than 20 yr of age. Apparently women and boys have airways that are smaller relative to lung size than those of men. Apparently these sex differences develop late in the growth period.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: