On The Mechanics of the Extrathoracic Airways: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

For adequate treatment it is important to distinguish between organic stenosis and increased compressibility of the extrathoracic airways. A diagnostic method, that may help in this distinction, is presented. In this method the patient is breathing through a volume flow regulator, which permits only a known constant flow. The resistance of the extrathoracic airways and the mouth pressure are measured simultaneously, at different levels of mouth pressure. The combination of compressive forces and loss of normal rigidity may in some cases cause an inspiratory collapse of the extrathoracic airway. — This phenomenon — dynamic compression — may sometimes be a dominant factor in increasing extrathoracic airway resistance.