Chapter 16, Problem 22E

Summary Introduction

To write:

The balance between distending pressure and the recoil forces acting on the lungs and the chest walls at FRC. Also, explain that the intrapleural pressure is sub-atmospheric.

Introduction:

FRC or the Functional Residual Capacity is the volume of the lung once the normal breath has expired. The FRC is a representation of volume at which the complete lung-chest wall unit remains at mechanical equilibrium. There are four primary pressures which are associated with the ventilation process, i.e., the intrapleural pressure, atmospheric pressure, transpulmonary pressure, and the intra-alveolar pressure.