RT Book, Section A1 Altose, Murray D. A2 Grippi, Michael A. A2 Elias, Jack A. A2 Fishman, Jay A. A2 Kotloff, Robert M. A2 Pack, Allan I. A2 Senior, Robert M. A2 Siegel, Mark D. SR Print(0) ID 1122354876 T1 Pulmonary Mechanics T2 Fishman's Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders, 5e YR 2015 FD 2015 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-179672-9 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1122354876 RD 2024/03/29 AB For venous blood to be properly arterialized, the distribution of air and blood within the lung is automatically matched to ensure effective gas exchange across alveolar–capillary membranes. Arterialization comprises a series of interrelated processes that begin with the mechanical performance of the ventilatory apparatus—that is, the lungs and the chest wall, including the rib cage, diaphragm, and abdominal wall. The ventilatory apparatus is critical for replenishing fresh air to the lungs for gas exchange. Although the function of each component of the lung and of the chest bellows can be deranged by injury or disease, the design of the ventilatory apparatus provides for considerable reserve. As a result, mechanical derangements are usually quite severe by the time clinical symptoms appear or arterial blood-gas levels become abnormal.