Ebullism

Ebullism

Ebullism is the formation of gas bubbles in bodily fluids due to reduced environmental pressure, for example at high altitude. It occurs because liquids boil at a lower temperature when the pressure on them is reduced.

In the atmospheric pressure present at sea level (760 mm of mercury), water boils at 100°C (212°F). At an altitude of 61,000 feet (47 mm pressure) it boils at only 36.7°C (98°F). This is the normal body temperature of humans, but in practice bodily fluids do not boil off at this altitude. This is because the skin and outer organs have enough strength to withstand this pressure, thus pressure inside the body would be significantly higher -- however, bubbles starting to form is still an issue.

Symptoms of ebullism include bubbles in the membranes of the mouth and eyes, swelling of the skin, and bubbles in the blood. Blood circulation and breathing may be impaired or stopped. The brain tissue may be starved of oxygen because of blockage of arteries, and the lungs may swell and hemorrhage. Death results unless recompression is rapid enough to reduce the bubbles before tissue damage occurs. To prevent ebullism, pilots and astronauts live in pressurized cabins or wear pressurized suits (such as space suits).

External links

* [http://www.sff.net/people/geoffrey.landis/ebullism.html Ebullism at 1 Million Feet: Surviving Rapid/Explosive Decompression] Retrieved 2007-08-07.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ebullism — ▪ medical disorder       formation of bubbles in the bodily fluids because of an extreme reduction in the surrounding pressure. Aircraft pilots are susceptible to ebullism when they venture into the upper atmosphere; the higher the pilot goes,… …   Universalium

  • ebullism — The boiling of body fluids. The formation of bubbles, with particular reference to water vapor bubbles in biological fluids caused by reduced ambient pressure. When the atmospheric pressure reaches 47 mm of mercury at an altitude of 19.2 km… …   Aviation dictionary

  • ebullism — noun The formation of bubbles of gas in biological fluids due to reduced environmental pressure …   Wiktionary

  • ebullism — Formation of water vapor bubbles in the tissues brought on by an extreme reduction in barometric pressure; occurs if the body is exposed to pressures above an altitude of 63,000 feet, or if a diver rises rapidly from a great depth to the surface …   Medical dictionary

  • ebullism — eb·ul·lism …   English syllables

  • ebullism — ˈeb(y)əˌlizəm noun ( s) Etymology: Latin ebullire to come bubbling out + English ism more at ebullient : the formation of bubbles in body fluids under sharply reduced environmental pressure …   Useful english dictionary

  • Outer space — For other uses, see Outer space (disambiguation). The boundaries between the Earth s surface and outer space, at the Kármán line, 100 km (62 mi) and exosphere at 690 km (430 mi). Not to scale Outer space is the void that exists beyond any… …   Wikipedia

  • Human adaptation to space — Human physiological adaptation to space is a challenge faced in developing human spaceflight. The turn of the 21st century saw increased research into how humans can survive and work in space for long periods.Importance of subjectThe sum of… …   Wikipedia

  • Vacuum — This article is about empty physical space or the absence of matter. For other uses, see Vacuum (disambiguation). Free space redirects here. For other uses, see Free space (disambiguation). Pump to demonstrate vacuum In everyday usage, vacuum is… …   Wikipedia

  • Space exposure — is in reference to the exposure of a human to the conditions of outer space, without protective clothing and beyond the Earth’s atmosphere in a vacuum.Explanation and history of space exposureThe key concerns for a human without protective… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”