OXYGEN UTILIZATION IN THE LEGS OF NORMAL MEN

Abstract

Blood in the femoral vein of man represents a considerable fraction of the skeletal muscles. Its O saturation in 10 men with normal circulation ranged from 56.6 to 90.2% when the subjects were reclining and from 30.8 to 65.4% when they were erect. On the average, the volume flow of blood through the legs was diminished 1/2 by this change in posture. The wide range of values found for O saturation in different individuals indicates that in rest the cross-sectional area of the capillary bed can be varied more or less independently of CO2 production.