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Surfactant improves airflow in several ways. First, it maintains airway stability by preventing airway film collapse of the airway walls. Second, surfactant modulates airway wall thickness and diameter by regulating liquid balance. In other words, the dysfunction of surfactant airways might be one of the mechanisms leading to increased airway resistance [seen in in obstructive lung diseases].


Source:

J Hohlfeld, H Fabel, and H Hamm. The role of pulmonary surfactant in obstructive airways disease.

Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 482-491

http://www.ersj.org.uk/cgi/content/abstract/10/2/482


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15y ago
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9y ago

Surfactant is a special lubricant found only in the respiratory system. It lets the lungs and alveoli slide without sticking. Without surfactant, the walls of the lungs would get sticky, especially if there is mucous, like from a cold. If the lungs can't expand, we can't get enough oxygen.

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13y ago

a lubricant for the lungs, especially important in newborns so lungs will fill with oxygen.

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Q: Why does surfactant affect airflow?
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Does surfactant affect airflow?

Surfactant improves airflow in several ways. First, it maintains airway stability by preventing airway film collapse of the airway walls. Second, surfactant modulates airway wall thickness and diameter by regulating liquid balance. In other words, the dysfunction of surfactant airways might be one of the mechanisms leading to increased airway resistance [seen in in obstructive lung diseases].Source:J Hohlfeld, H Fabel, and H Hamm. The role of pulmonary surfactant in obstructive airways disease.Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 482-491http://www.ersj.org.uk/cgi/content/abstract/10/2/482


As a result of the tidal volume change what happens to the flow into each lung and total air flow?

Airflow increases when surfactant is applied because the resistance to lung inflation has been reduced.


What do surfactant do?

A surface-active agent 'surfactant' usually cleans something. ie -soap is a surfactant.


How does surfactant affect the total air flow into lungs?

Surfactant is similar to a detergent, it keeps the fluid coating the lining of the alveoli from creating surface tension. This allows the alveoli to expand without hindrance, and allows greater air flow.


Surfactant that cover the respiratory membranes?

Surfactant is pleural fluid.


What does a surfactant do?

The main function or job of a surfactant is to reduce surface tension. This process is used on liquids while it dissolves.


How effective is surfactant therapy?

Normally surfactant replacement therapy keeps the infant alive until the lungs start producing their own surfactant.


What effect does the addition of surfactant have on airflow?

Surfactants can reduce surface tension in the fluid lining of the airways, making it easier for air to flow through them. This can improve lung function by helping to open up the airways and increase the efficiency of gas exchange.


What are the types of airflow?

types of airflow, functions of airflow, properties of airflow,


Does low coolant effect cool airflow from the AC?

No it does not affect air flow. The air will just not be as cool.


What facts affect seed germination?

Heat, moisture, and airflow. Some seeds also need light to germinate.


Which surfactant lacks in a new born baby?

I have never heard the surfactant called anything specific. Full term babies usually have surfactant (a mixture of lipids (fats) and proteins). Premature babies many times do not have enough surfactant to keep the alveoli of their lungs open, so artificial surfactant is put into the trachea, sometimes more than once.