Central regulation of respiration is provided by the respiratory center located in the reticular formation of the medulla oblongata and pons. CO 2 diffuses into the alveoli and is exhaled. In the capillaries, oxygen binds to hemoglobin in erythrocytes or dissolves into the plasma (oxygenation). The gases diffuse across the barrier following pressure gradients. Gas exchange occurs via simple diffusion across the blood-air barrier. Diseases that affect the perfusion (e.g., pulmonary embolism) or ventilation (e.g., foreign body aspiration) can cause a V/Q mismatch. The Euler-Liljestrand mechanism regulates the perfusion of nonventilated alveoli: if a lung section is perfused but not ventilated, there will be a drop in the oxygen concentration in the blood, resulting in hypoxic vasoconstriction. The ventilation-perfusion ratio is higher in the apex of the lung than at its base. Perfusion of the pulmonary capillaries is closely regulated to match ventilation in order to maximize gas exchange.
The physiologic dead space is the volume of inspired air that does not participate in gas exchange.
Ventilation is the movement of air through the respiratory tract into (inspiration) and out of (expiration) the respiratory zone ( lungs). The main function of the respiratory system is gas exchange (O 2 and CO 2).
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