Description :

The field of pulmonary gas exchange is mature with the basic principles developed more than 60 years ago arterial blood gas measurements tensions and concentrations of o2 and co2 constitute a mainstay of clinical care to assess the degree of pulmonary gas exchange abnormality however the factors that dictate arterial blood gas values are often multifactorial and complex with six . Human respiratory system human respiratory system abnormal gas exchange lung disease can lead to severe abnormalities in blood gas composition because of the differences in oxygen and carbon dioxide transport impaired oxygen exchange is far more common than impaired carbon dioxide exchange mechanisms of abnormal gas exchange are grouped into four categories hypoventilation shunting . Gas exchange is the process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the bloodstream and the lungs this is the primary function of the respiratory system and is essential for ensuring a constant supply of oxygen to tissues this article will discuss the principles of gas exchange factors affecting the rate of exchange and relevant clinical conditions. Other articles where gas exchange is discussed human respiratory system gas exchange respiratory gases oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the air and the blood across the respiratory exchange surfaces in the lungs the structure of the human lung provides an immense internal surface that facilitates gas exchange between the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary. Massimo ferrigno in bove and davis diving medicine fourth edition 2004 respiratory system gas exchange in the alveoli is influenced by the environmental pressure therefore its course during breath holding at the surface is very different from its course during breath hold diving fig 5 5 43 as is discussed later during a breath hold o 2 uptake from the lung continues but co 2