To what does the term "faster-weaker" refer when discussing the alveolar-capillary membrane?
a. Portion of the alveolar-capillary membrane that is average in thickness
b. Shortest airways in the acinus, which al-low fast gas exchange
c. Thinnest portion of the alveolar-capillary membrane
d. Thickest portion of the alveolar-capillary membrane
ANS: C
On one side of the alveolar wall, the type I cell and capillary endothelial cells lie close together with a thin interstitial space. This part of the blood-gas barrier is, on average, 0.2 to 0.3 µm thick and it is where the alveolar capillary bulges into the alveolar space. On the other side, where there is a thicker interstitial space with greater fiber, matrix, and nuclear material content, the barrier can be more than 3 to 10 times thicker. This functionally results in "faster-weaker" and "slow-er-stronger" diffusion sides of the blood-gas barrier.
You might also like to view...
MOST state regulations set _______________________ standards rather than a(n) _______________________ standard for operation
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
Which of the following are typically found in a patient with COPD? 1. Airway inflammation 2. Partially reversible airway obstruction 3. Progressive airway obstruction 4. Restrictive disease
a. 2 and 3 only b. 1 and 4 only c. 1, 2, and 3 only d. 2, 3, and 4 only