Alveolar-capillary temperature

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Human experiments were done to test the thermal homeostasis of the alveolar-capillary structures. Under ordinary room conditions, the temperature of tidal air was raised to 36.7 ° C while the air was still in the small bronchi. The hyperventilation of such air did not measurably influence right atrial or ‘ wedged ’ pulmonary arterial temperature. The breathing of air chilled to 5°C had no discernible effect on the temperature of brachial or carotid artery blood. The experimental data and mathematical calculations based on physical constants indicate that human alveolar temperature is virtually constant even under the most extreme thermal conditions. Submitted on June 18, 1959