Collateral ventilation

Collateral Ventilation

Collateral ventilation (pronounced: kuh-lat-er-uhl ven-ti-lay-shun) is a medical term that refers to the ventilation of alveolar structures through pathways that are not part of the normal airway system. This phenomenon is particularly important in conditions where the normal airways are obstructed, such as in COPD and Emphysema.

Etymology

The term "collateral ventilation" is derived from the Latin word 'collateralis', meaning 'side by side', and the Latin word 'ventilatio', meaning 'a blowing'. Together, they describe the process of air movement through alternative or 'side by side' pathways in the lungs.

Mechanism

Collateral ventilation occurs through several pathways including Pores of Kohn, Canals of Lambert, and bronchoalveolar connections. These pathways allow air to bypass obstructions in the main airways and ventilate the alveoli.

Clinical Significance

Understanding the concept of collateral ventilation is crucial in the management of certain respiratory conditions. In diseases like COPD and emphysema, where the normal airways are obstructed, collateral ventilation can help maintain some degree of gas exchange. However, it can also complicate certain therapeutic procedures like BLVR.

Related Terms

• Pores of Kohn
• Canals of Lambert
• BLVR
• COPD
• Emphysema

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Collateral ventilation
• Wikipedia's article - Collateral ventilation

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