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The alveolar gas equation is the method for calculating partial pressure of alveolar oxygen (p A O 2). The equation is used in assessing if the lungs are properly transferring oxygen into the blood. The alveolar air equation is not widely used in clinical medicine, probably because of the complicated appearance of its classic forms.
The alveolar oxygen partial pressure is lower than the atmospheric O 2 partial pressure for two reasons. Firstly, as the air enters the lungs, it is humidified by the upper airway and thus the partial pressure of water vapour (47 mmHg) reduces the oxygen partial pressure to about 150 mmHg.
Alveolar pressure (PA) at end expiration is equal to atmospheric pressure (0 cm H 2 O differential pressure, at zero flow), plus or minus 2 cm H 2 O (1.5 mmHg) throughout the lung. On the other hand, gravity causes a gradient in blood pressure between the top and bottom of the lung of 20 mmHg in the erect position (roughly half of that in the ...
P a O 2 – Partial pressure of oxygen at sea level (160 mmHg in the atmosphere, 21% of standard atmospheric pressure of 760 mmHg) in arterial blood is between 75 mmHg and 100 mmHg. [4] [5] [6] Venous blood oxygen tension (normal) P v O 2 – Oxygen tension in venous blood at sea level is between 30 mmHg and 40 mmHg. [6] [7]
The Alveolar–arterial gradient (A-aO 2, [1] or A–a gradient), is a measure of the difference between the alveolar concentration (A) of oxygen and the arterial (a) concentration of oxygen. It is a useful parameter for narrowing the differential diagnosis of hypoxemia. [2] The A–a gradient helps to assess the integrity of the alveolar ...
Image illustrating transpulmonary, intrapleural and intra-alveolar pressure. Alveolar pressure (P alv) is the pressure of air inside the lung alveoli.When the glottis is opened and no air is flowing into or out of the lungs, alveolar pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure, that is, zero cmH 2 O.
In the dependent region smaller alveolar volumes mean the alveoli are more compliant (more distensible) and so capable of more oxygen exchange. The apex, though showing a higher oxygen partial pressure, ventilates less efficiently since its compliance is lower and so smaller volumes are exchanged.
The amount of oxygen bound to the hemoglobin at any time is related, in large part, to the partial pressure of oxygen to which the hemoglobin is exposed. In the lungs, at the alveolar–capillary interface, the partial pressure of oxygen is typically high, and therefore the oxygen binds readily to hemoglobin that is present. As the blood ...