Chapter 2, Problem 11RQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Alveolar pressure is the pressure inside the alveoli of the lungs and it plays a key role during inspiration. The alveolar pressure decreases during inspiration due to the expansion of the lungs to a value lower than atmospheric pressure. This results in the movement of air into the lungs. The pleural pressure refers to the pressure within the pleural cavity, which is also slightly less than the atmospheric pressure and is termed as negative pressure. The alveolar pressure of the lungs is always greater than the pleural pressure in case of normal lungs, which is also necessary for maintaining the inflated state of the lungs.