Closing capacity

Closing capacity

The closing capacity (CC) is the volume in the lungs at which its smallest airways, the alveoli collapse. The alveoli lack supporting cartilage and so depend on other factors to keep them open. The closing capacity is greater than the residual volume (RV), the amount of gas that normally remains in the lungs during respiration, and specifically, after forced expiration. This is because closing capacity is equal to closing volume plus residual volume. This means that there is normally enough air within the lungs to keep these airways open throughout both inhalation and exhalation. As the lungs age, there is a gradual increase in the closing capacity. This also occurs with certain disease processes, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary edema. Any process that increases the CC by lowering the functional residual capacity (FRC) can increase an individual's risk of hypoxemia, as the small airways may collapse during exhalation, leading to air trapping and atelectasis.

See also

Further reading


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • closing capacity — the volume of gas in the lungs at the time the airways close during respiration; the closing volume added to the residual volume, usually expressed as a percentage of total lung capacity …   Medical dictionary

  • closing volume — (CV) the difference between the closing capacity and the residual volume; the volume of gas still in the lungs in excess of the residual volume when dependent small airways are assumed to have closed. Seen in the test results (such as with the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Closing Argument (horse) — Closing Argument Sire Successful Appeal Grandsire Valid Appeal Dam Mrs. Greeley Damsire Mr. Greeley Sex Stallion Foaled …   Wikipedia

  • Nitrogen washout — (or Fowler s method) is a test for measuring dead space in the lung during a respiratory cycle, as well as some parameters related to the closure of airways. Contents 1 Procedure 2 Parameters 3 See also 4 References …   Wikipedia

  • включающая способность (коммутационного аппарата) — Значение ожидаемого тока включения, который способен включать коммутационный аппарат при установленном напряжении в предписанных условиях эксплуатации и поведения. Примечание Напряжение устанавливается и условия предписываются в стандарте на… …   Справочник технического переводчика

  • CC — calcaneal cuboid; calcium cyclamate; calf circumference; cardiac catheterization; cardiac center; cardiac contusion; cardiac cycle; cardiovascular clinic; cascade correlation; cell culture; central compartment; cerebral commissure; cerebral… …   Medical dictionary

  • Verschlußkapazität — (f) eng closing capacity (lung) …   Arbeitssicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz Glossar

  • емкость закрытия легких — rus емкость (ж) закрытия легких eng closing capacity (lung) fra capacité (f) de fermeture deu Verschlußkapazität (f) spa capacidad (f) de reserva …   Безопасность и гигиена труда. Перевод на английский, французский, немецкий, испанский языки

  • CC — • calcaneal cuboid; • calcium cyclamate; • calf circumference; • cardiac catheterization; • cardiac center; • cardiac contusion; • cardiac cycle; • cardiovascular clinic; • cascade correlation; • cell culture; • central compartment; • cerebral… …   Dictionary of medical acronyms & abbreviations

  • Economic Affairs — ▪ 2006 Introduction In 2005 rising U.S. deficits, tight monetary policies, and higher oil prices triggered by hurricane damage in the Gulf of Mexico were moderating influences on the world economy and on U.S. stock markets, but some other… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

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