Functional consequences of airway morphology.

Abstract
From measurements of a resin cast of the airways, the dimensions and pattern of branching of the bronchial tree were found. Calculations based on these measurements indicated the site of airways resistance and the nature of gas flow in the airways, together with information on factors affecting the distribution of inspired gas. The roles of anatomy and gaseous diffusion in the genesis of the shape of the single-breath N2 test and the expression of respiratory dead space as a distribution function are outlined.