Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) is characterized by disturbances in gas exchange, which is the direct result of the mismatch between perfusion and ventilation. Alveolar dead space refers to the sum of the volumes in those alveoli that have limited to no blood flowing through their adjacent pulmonary capillaries. Put simply, alveolar dead space means that no gas exchange can occur because the alveoli are being ventilated but not perfused. In healthy individuals, alveolar dead space is usually extremely small. However, in conditions such as CWP, it can increase significantly because of the differences in ventilation and perfusion. Physiologic (pulmonary) shunt should also be considered in this case as it refers to a condition resulting in the alveoli of the lungs being perfused with blood as normal but ventilation failing to supply the perfused region. This means that the ratio between perfusion and ventilation is zero. Very often the shunt takes place when the alveoli are filled with fluid, which leads to some parts of the lungs not being ventilated but remaining perfused.
How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer.
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Academic.Tips. (2021) 'How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer'. 8 July.
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Academic.Tips. (2021, July 8). How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer. https://academic.tips/question/how-can-coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-create-a-mismatch-between-ventilation-and-perfusion-use-your-understanding-of-alveolar-dead-space-and-physiologic-shunt-to-explain-your-answer/
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Academic.Tips. 2021. "How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer." July 8, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/how-can-coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-create-a-mismatch-between-ventilation-and-perfusion-use-your-understanding-of-alveolar-dead-space-and-physiologic-shunt-to-explain-your-answer/.
1. Academic.Tips. "How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer." July 8, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/how-can-coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-create-a-mismatch-between-ventilation-and-perfusion-use-your-understanding-of-alveolar-dead-space-and-physiologic-shunt-to-explain-your-answer/.
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Academic.Tips. "How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer." July 8, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/how-can-coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-create-a-mismatch-between-ventilation-and-perfusion-use-your-understanding-of-alveolar-dead-space-and-physiologic-shunt-to-explain-your-answer/.
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"How can coal workers’ pneumoconiosis create a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion? Use your understanding of alveolar dead space and physiologic shunt to explain your answer." Academic.Tips, 8 July 2021, academic.tips/question/how-can-coal-workers-pneumoconiosis-create-a-mismatch-between-ventilation-and-perfusion-use-your-understanding-of-alveolar-dead-space-and-physiologic-shunt-to-explain-your-answer/.