Biotransport in the human respiratory system

Abstract

The human respiratory system is an 'open' organ, which is designed to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood and the external environment. This gas exchange is successfully accomplished via a set of transport phenomena comprised of oscillatory air flow, heat and water vapor exchange, mucus transport and air-blood gas exchange all of which take place in a complex geometry that undergoes large changes. These transport phenomena occur simultaneously to supply the body's need for oxygen in different physiological conditions and/or environments, while defending it from external hazards. The need for better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in pulmonary diseases and for advanced techniques for both diagnosis and intervention stimulated numerous studies of the different biotransport processes that take place in the human respiratory system.