

Physiological dead space is the sum of the anatomical dead space and the alveolar dead space. In the ideal healthy adult, this is zero.

However, it is quick enough that it can be approximated (averaged out) as an abrupt transition.Īlveolar dead space includes those parts of the respiratory zone that do not participate in gas exchange. Note that in practice, O 2 is replaced by N 2 more gradually, as a sigmoid curve.

Most of the O 2 mixes with the air already in the alveoli (75% N 2).It is measured by the nitrogen washout (Fowler) technique: Dead space is the volume of ventilated air that does not participate in gas exchange.Īnatomical dead space is the volume of air that fills the conducting zone, about 150 mL (~30% of normal tidal volume).
