Alveolar dead space

Definition

Alveolar dead space consists of alveoli in the lungs that are ventilated but not perfused with blood, meaning they do not participate in gas exchange. It increases in various lung pathologies, affecting the efficiency of breathing.

Related terms

Ventilation:

The process by which air moves into and out of the lungs, enabling gas exchange with the blood.

Perfusion:

The passage of fluid through the circulatory system or lymphatic system to an organ or a tissue, usually referring to the delivery of blood to a capillary bed in tissue.

Gas exchange: The biological process through which gases (mainly oxygen and carbon dioxide) move passively by diffusion across a surface, typically between the alveolar air and blood in the lungs