Closing capacity
Closing Capacity
Closing capacity (pronounced: /ˈkləʊzɪŋ ˈkæpəsɪti/) is a term used in pulmonology to describe the volume at which the smallest airways in the lungs, known as alveoli, begin to collapse during expiration. This is a critical concept in understanding lung function, particularly in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Etymology
The term "closing capacity" is derived from the English words "closing", meaning to shut or bring to an end, and "capacity", meaning the maximum amount that something can contain. In this context, it refers to the volume at which the alveoli can no longer contain air and begin to close.
Related Terms
- Total lung capacity (TLC): The maximum amount of air the lungs can hold.
- Residual volume (RV): The amount of air left in the lungs after a maximal exhalation.
- Functional residual capacity (FRC): The volume of air present in the lungs at the end of passive expiration.
- Vital capacity (VC): The maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation.
Clinical Significance
The closing capacity is particularly important in the context of respiratory physiology. It increases with age and in certain lung diseases, such as COPD and asthma. When the closing capacity exceeds the functional residual capacity (FRC), air trapping and gas exchange abnormalities can occur, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Closing capacity
- Wikipedia's article - Closing capacity
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski