STUDY OF THE EXCHANGE OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE SUPRAGLOTTIC PORTION OF THE RESPIRATORY DEAD SPACE

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Abstract
Studies were undertaken in 2 healthy adults to ascertain by direct measurement whether rapid transfer of O2 and CO2 occurs in the respiratory dead space and if so what bearing it might have on aspects of pulmonary function calculated from analyses of expired and alveolar air. Air samples were collected from the supraglottic portion of the respiratory dead space in an evacuated mercury tube either immediately (1 to 2 sec.) or at any desired interval up to 40 sec. after the end of inspiration. A definite but small exchange of CO2 and O2 of approx. the same magnitude was noted. This exchange therefore does not account for any difference reported in the R. Q. of expired and alveolar air. When the breath is held at the end of inspiration for progressively longer periods of time the CO2 concn. increases at a nearly steady rate, whereas the O2 concn. falls only during the first 10 sec.

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