Question

Define lung compliance and elastance and describe the relationship between the two. Relate this to the lung and the process of ventilation.

A) Lung compliance is the measure of lung stiffness, while elastance is the ease with which the lungs expand. Compliance and elastance have an inverse relationship, meaning that higher compliance leads to lower elastance. This affects lung inflation and deflation during ventilation.
B) Lung compliance and elastance are unrelated terms in the context of lung physiology. They do not affect ventilation.
C) Lung compliance and elastance are synonymous terms describing the same lung property. They both refer to the ability of the lungs to expand and contract.
D) Lung compliance is the ability of the lungs to contract, while elastance is the ability of the lungs to expand. Both are involved in the process of ventilation.

Answer 1

Lung compliance is the ability of the lungs to stretch, while elastance is the measure of lung stiffness. They have an inverse relationship and affect lung inflation and deflation during ventilation. Changes in compliance and resistance can alter breathing and gas exchange.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lung compliance is the ability of the lungs to stretch, while elastance is the measure of lung stiffness. Compliance and elastance have an inverse relationship, meaning that higher compliance leads to lower elastance. This affects lung inflation and deflation during ventilation. If the compliance of the lungs decreases, as in restrictive diseases, the airways stiffen and collapse, making breathing difficult. If resistance increases, as in asthma or emphysema, the airways become obstructed, trapping air in the lungs and causing difficulty in breathing. These changes affect gas exchange and can arise from anatomical or physiological changes.