Pulmonary Edema & Perfusion vs. Diffusion: Understanding Lung Function

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Perfusion is the movement of blood through capillaries in the body. Diffusion is the movement of molecules across the capillary wall during gas exchange. Pulmonary edema, the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs' air spaces, can thicken the alveolar walls and impair diffusion, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen moving into the bloodstream.