Understanding Blood Circulation Through the Lungs: A Vital Process
Pulmonary circulation enables gas exchange:
- Deoxygenated blood from right ventricle → pulmonary artery → pulmonary capillaries surrounding alveoli.
- O₂ diffuses from alveolar air (high pO₂) into capillary blood (low pO₂); CO₂ diffuses opposite direction (high pCO₂ in blood → alveoli).
- Oxygenated blood → pulmonary veins → left atrium → systemic circulation.
Key features:
- Low pressure, high flow, high compliance.
- Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) matching optimizes exchange.
- Pulmonary surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension.
Disorders (PE, COPD, ARDS, fibrosis) impair gas exchange → hypoxemia/hypercapnia. Maintains acid-base balance and O₂ delivery for cellular respiration.
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