Journal of Applied Physiology Information on EB 2010
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 60: 501-505, 1986;
8750-7587/86 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Dolyniuk, M. V.
Right arrow Articles by Fahey, P. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Dolyniuk, M. V.
Right arrow Articles by Fahey, P. J.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 60, Issue 2 501-505, Copyright © 1986 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Relationship of tracheal size to maximal expiratory airflow and density dependence

M. V. Dolyniuk and P. J. Fahey

Wave-speed theory predicts that maximal expiratory flow (MEF) at high lung volumes depends strongly on size of central airways. We tested this prediction by correlating MEF and tracheal cross-section area (T-XSA) in 15 (11 males, 4 females) healthy never-smoking volunteers. T-XSA was determined by planimetric analysis of contiguous 1-cm computerized tomographic scans of the intrathoracic trachea. We found a significant correlation between T-XSA at total lung capacity (TLC) and flow at 75% of vital capacity (V75) (r = 0.88, P less than 0.001). This contrasted to the correlation found between lung volume at TLC and V75 (r = 0.60). Density dependence of airflow (percent increase in V75 in air) was 35 +/- 17% and showed a significant inverse relationship to T-XSA (r = 0.70). These results confirm predictions of wave-speed theory and demonstrate the importance of cross-sectional area of central airways in determining MEF at high lung volumes. The large variability of MEF in normal individuals partly represents variations in tracheal size. Poor correlation between lung size and airway size suggests only a loose coupling between airways and lung parenchyma consistent with dysanaptic growth. Our findings indicate that changes in density dependence of airflow are not solely determined by the status of small airways and that differences in tracheal size contribute to its variability.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 ChestHome page
M. J. Hegewald, M. J. Lefor, R. L. Jensen, R. O. Crapo, S. B. Kritchevsky, C. L. Haggerty, D. C. Bauer, S. Satterfield, T. Harris, and for the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study
Peak Expiratory Flow Is Not a Quality Indicator for Spirometry: Peak Expiratory Flow Variability and FEV1 Are Poorly Correlated in an Elderly Population
Chest, May 1, 2007; 131(5): 1494 - 1499.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ThoraxHome page
Y. Chen
Genetics and pulmonary medicine bullet 10: Genetic epidemiology of pulmonary function
Thorax, September 1, 1999; 54(9): 818 - 824.
[Full Text]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
C. S. Kim and S. C. Hu
Regional deposition of inhaled particles in human lungs: comparison between men and women
J Appl Physiol, June 1, 1998; 84(6): 1834 - 1844.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online