# Respiratory physiology

 Articles WikiDoc Resources for Respiratory physiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Respiratory physiology is the branch of human physiology focusing upon respiration.

Topics include:

## Mechanics

Front view of thorax.

Breathing in, or inhaling, is usually an active movement. The contraction of the diaphragm muscles cause a pressure variation, which is equal to the pressures caused by elastic, resistive and inertial components of the respiratory system.

{\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}P&=P_{el}+P_{re}+P_{in}\\P&=EV+R{\dot {V}}+I{\ddot {V}}\end{aligned}}}

Where Pel equals the product of elastance E (inverse of compliance) and volume of the system V, Pre equals the product of flow resistance R and time derivate of volume V (which is equivalent to the flow), Pin equals the product of inertance I and second time derivate of V. R and I are sometimes referred to as Rohrer's constants.

## Circulation, ventilation, and perfusion

Pulmonary circulation

## Gas exchange/transport (primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide)

Oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve

Pons