Comprehensive Physiology Wiley Online Library

Respiratory System

Full Article on Wiley Online Library



Abstract

The sections in this article are:

1 Pulmonary Mechanics
1.1 Respiratory Muscles and Chest Wall
1.2 Lung Recoil
1.3 Lung Volumes
1.4 Flow Rates
2 Gas Exchange
3 Respiration
3.1 Respiratory Control
3.2 Respiratory Sensation
4 Exercise Capacity
5 Defense Mechanisms
6 Airway Responsiveness
7 Natural History of Disease
Figure 1. Figure 1.

Total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC), and residual volume (RV) as functions of age from birth to 80 yr for an “average” body build.

Reproduced from Murray 50 with permission
Figure 2. Figure 2.

Measurement of the closing volume. If a vital capacity inspiration of 100% O2 is followed by a full expiration, four phases in the N2 concentration measured at the lips can be recognized. The last is caused by preferential emptying of the apex of the lung after the lower zone airways have closed.

Reproduced from West (83) with permission
Figure 3. Figure 3.

Arterial Po2 as a function of age from birth to 80 yr.

Reproduced from Murray 50 with permission
Figure 4. Figure 4.

Frequency histogram (percent of total number of analyzed disks) of individual disk velocities in young (broken line) and elderly (solid line) nonsmokers.

Reproduced from Goodman et al. 27 with permission
Figure 5. Figure 5.

Development and decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) plotted as percent of theoretical maximum against age. Curve A depicts a hypothetical non‐smoker. Curve B depicts a hypothetical smoker who is not susceptible to the development of chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD). Curve C depicts a hypothetical smoker with accelerated decline of FEV1 suggestive of increased risk of COLD. Curve D depicts a hypothetical susceptible smoker who quit smoking.

Reproduced from Weiss and Sparrow 80


Figure 1.

Total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC), and residual volume (RV) as functions of age from birth to 80 yr for an “average” body build.

Reproduced from Murray 50 with permission


Figure 2.

Measurement of the closing volume. If a vital capacity inspiration of 100% O2 is followed by a full expiration, four phases in the N2 concentration measured at the lips can be recognized. The last is caused by preferential emptying of the apex of the lung after the lower zone airways have closed.

Reproduced from West (83) with permission


Figure 3.

Arterial Po2 as a function of age from birth to 80 yr.

Reproduced from Murray 50 with permission


Figure 4.

Frequency histogram (percent of total number of analyzed disks) of individual disk velocities in young (broken line) and elderly (solid line) nonsmokers.

Reproduced from Goodman et al. 27 with permission


Figure 5.

Development and decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) plotted as percent of theoretical maximum against age. Curve A depicts a hypothetical non‐smoker. Curve B depicts a hypothetical smoker who is not susceptible to the development of chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD). Curve C depicts a hypothetical smoker with accelerated decline of FEV1 suggestive of increased risk of COLD. Curve D depicts a hypothetical susceptible smoker who quit smoking.

Reproduced from Weiss and Sparrow 80
References
 1. Altose, M. D., J. Leitner, and N. S. Cherniack. Effects of age and respiratory efforts on the perception of resistive ventilatory loads. J. Gerontol. 40: 147–153, 1985.
 2. Altose, M. D., W. C. McCauley, S. G. Kelsen, and N. S. Cherniack. Effects of hypercapnia and inspiratory flow‐resistive loading on respiratory activity in chronic airways obstruction. J. Clin. Invest. 59: 500–507, 1977.
 3. American Thoracic Society. Lung function testing: selection of reference values and interpretative strategies. Ant. Rev. Respir. Dis. 144: 1202–1218, 1991.
 4. Astrand, I., P.‐O. Astrand, I. Hallback, and A. Kilbom. Reduction in maximal oxygen uptake with age. J. Appl. Physiol. 35: 649–654, 1973.
 5. Becklake, M. R. Chronic airflow limitation: its relationship to work in dusty occupations. Chest 88: 608–617, 1985.
 6. Berkey, C. S., J. H. Ware, D. W. Dockery, B. G. Ferris, Jr., and F. E. Speizer. Indoor air pollution and pulmonary function growth in preadolescent children. Am. J. Epidemiol. 123: 250–260, 1986.
 7. Bleecker, E. R., E. F. Haponik, S. M. Walden, D. A. Meyers, and P. L. Smith. Relationship between aging, pulmonary mechanics, respiratory muscle function and obstructive sleep apnea [Abstract]. Gerontologist 24: 99, 1984.
 8. Brand, P. L. P., B. Rijcken, J. P. Schouten, G. H. Koeter, S. T. Weiss, and D. S. Postma. Perceptions of airway obstruction in a random sample. Relationship to airway hyperresponsiveness in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 146: 396–401, 1992.
 9. Buist, A. S., H. Ghezzo, N. R. Anthonisen, R. M. Cherniack, S. Duzic, P. T. Macklem, J. Manfreda, R. R. Martin, D. McCarthy, and B. B. Ross. Relationship between the single‐breath N2‐test and age, sex and smoking habits in three North American cities. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 120: 305–318, 1979.
 10. Burney, P. G. J., J. R. Britton, S. Chinn, A. E. Tattersfield, A. O. Papacosta, M. C. Kelson, F. Anderson, and D. R. Corfield. Descriptive epidemiology of bronchial reactivity in an adult population; results from a community study. Thorax 42: 38–44, 1987.
 11. Burrows, B., M. D. Lebowttz, R. A. Barbee, R. J. Knudson, and M. Halonen. Interactions of smoking and immunologic factors in relation to airways obstruction. Chest 84: 657–661, 1983.
 12. Carlson, K. E., W. Alston, and D. J. Feldman. Electromyography study of aging in skeletal muscle. Am. J. Phys. Med. 43: 141–145, 1964.
 13. Chapman, K. R., and N. S. Cherniack. Aging effects on the interaction of hypercapnia and hypoxia as ventilatory stimuli. J. Gerontol. 42: 202–209, 1987.
 14. Cook, C. D., J. Mead, and M. M. Orzalesi. Static volume‐pressure characteristics of the respiratory system during maximal efforts. J. Appl. Physiol. 19: 1016–1022, 1964.
 15. Coon, P. J., E. R. Bleecker, D. T. Drinkwater, D. A. Meyers, and A. P. Goldberg. Effects of body composition and exercise capacity on glucose tolerance, insulin, and liproprotein lipids in healthy older men: a cross‐sectional and longitudinal intervention study. Metabolism 38: 1201–1209, 1989.
 16. Dehn, M. M., and R. A. Bruce. Longitudinal variations in maximal oxygen intake with age and activity. J. Appl. Physiol. 33: 805–807, 1972.
 17. Dosman, J. A., D. J. Cotton, B. L. Graham, D. L. Hall, R. Li, R. Froh, and G. D. Barnett. Sensitivity and specificity of early diagnostic tests of lung function in smokers. Chest 79: 6–11, 1981.
 18. DuBois, A. B., and R. Alcala. Airway resistance and mechanics of breathing in normal subjects 75 to 90 years of age. In: Aging of the Lung: Perspectives, edited by L. Cander and J. H. Moyer. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1964, p. 156–162.
 19. Enright, P. L., R. A. Kronmal, M. Higgins, M. Schenker, and E. F. Haponik. Spirometry reference values for women and men 65 to 85 years of age. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 147: 125–133, 1993.
 20. Ermini, M. Aging changes in mammalian skeletal muscle. Gerontology 22: 301–316, 1976.
 21. Fleg, J. L., and E. G. Lakatta. Role of muscle loss in the age associated reduction in VO2max. J. Appl. Physiol. 65: 1147–1151, 1988.
 22. Fletcher, C. M., R. Peto, C. Tinker, and F. E. Speizer. The Natural History of Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. London: Oxford University Press, 1976.
 23. Frank, N. R., J. Mead, and B. G. Ferris, Jr.. The mechanical behavior of the lungs in healthy elderly persons. J. Clin. Invest. 36: 1680–1687, 1957.
 24. Frew, A. J., S. M. Kennedy, and M. Chan‐Yeung. Methacholine responsiveness, smoking, and atopy as risk factors for accelerated FEV1 decline in male working populations. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 146: 878–883, 1992.
 25. Fry, D. L., and R. E. Hyatt. Pulmonary mechanics. A unified analysis of the relationship between pressure, volume and gas flow in the lungs of normal and diseased human subjects. Am. J. Med. 29: 672–689, 1960.
 26. Ghio, A. J., R. O. Crapo, and C. G. Elliott. Reference equations used to predict pulmonary function at institutions with respiratory disease training programs in the United States and Canada: a survey. Chest 97: 400–403, 1990.
 27. Goodman, R. M., B. M. Yergin, J. F. Landa, M. H. Golinvaux, and M. A. Sackner. Relationship of smoking history and pulmonary function tests to tracheal mucous velocity in non‐smokers, young smokers, ex‐smokers, and patients with chronic bronchitis. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 117: 205–214, 1978.
 28. Gutmann, E., and V. Hanzlikova. Fast and slow motor units in aging. Gerontology 22: 280–300, 1976.
 29. Hamer, N. A. The effect of age on the components of the pulmonary diffusing capacity. J. Clin. Sci. 23: 85–93, 1962.
 30. Hance, A. J., and R. G. Crystal. The connective tissue of lung. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 112: 657–711, 1975.
 31. Higgins, M., and J. Keller. Familial occurrence of chronic respiratory disease and familial resemblance in ventilatory capacity. J. Chronic Dis. 28: 239–251, 1975.
 32. Holland, J., J. Milic‐Emili, P. T. Macklem, and D. V. Bates. Regional distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion in elderly subjects. J. Clin. Invest. 47: 81–92, 1968.
 33. Hopp, R. J., A. Bewtra, N. M. Nair, and R. G. Townley. The effect of age on methacholine response. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 76: 609–613, 1985.
 34. Hossack, K. F., and R. A. Bruce. Maximal cardiac function in sedentary normal men and women: comparison of age‐related changes. J. Appl. Physiol. 53: 799–804, 1982.
 35. Janson‐Bjerklie, S., S. S. Ruma, M. Stulbarg, and V. K. Carrieri. Predictors of dyspnea intensity in asthma. Nurs. Res. 36: 179–183, 1987.
 36. Jones, R. L., T. R. Overton, D. M. Hammerlindl, and B. J. Sproule. Effects of age on residual volume. J. Appl. Physiol. 44: 195–199, 1978.
 37. Kauffmann, F., D. Drouet, L. Lellouch, and D. Brille. Occupational exposure and 12‐year spirometric changes among Paris area workers. Br. J. Ind. Med. 39: 221–232, 1982.
 38. Korn, R. J., D. W. Dockery, F. E. Speizer, J. H. Ware, and B. G. Ferris, Jr.. Occupational exposures and chronic respiratory symptoms: a population‐based study. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 136: 298–304, 1987.
 39. Knudson, R. J., D. F. Clark, T. C. Kennedy, and D. E. Knudson. Effect of aging alone on mechanical properties of the normal adult human lung. J. Appl. Physiol. 43: 1054–1062, 1977.
 40. Knudson, R. J., M. D. Lebowitz, C. J. Holberg, and B. Burrows. Changes in the normal maximal expiratory flow‐volume curve with growth and aging. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 127: 725–734, 1983.
 41. Kronenberg, R. S., and C. W. Drage. Attenuation of the ventilatory and heart rate responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia with aging in normal men. J. Clin. Invest. 52: 1812–1819, 1973.
 42. Krumpe, P. E., R. J. Knudson, G. Parsons, and K. Reiser. The aging respiratory system. Clin. Geriatr. Med. 1: 143–175, 1985.
 43. Kueppers, F., and L. F. Black. α1 antitrypsin and its deficiency. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 110: 176–194, 1974.
 44. Larson, R. K., M. L. Barman, F. Kueppers, and H. H. Fudenberg. Genetic and environmental determinants of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ann. Intern. Med. 72: 627–632, 1970.
 45. Leith, D. E., and J. Mead. Mechanisms determining residual volume of the lungs in normal subjects. J. Appl. Physiol. 23: 221–227, 1967.
 46. Mansell, A., C. Bryan, and H. Levison. Airway closure in children. J. Appl. Physiol. 33: 711–714, 1972.
 47. Mittman, C., N. H. Endelman, A. H. Norris, and N. W. Shock. Relationship between chest wall and pulmonary compliance and age. J. Appl. Physiol. 20: 1211–1216, 1965.
 48. Morris, J. F., A. Koski, and L. C. Johnson. Spirometric standards for healthy nonsmoking adults. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 103: 57–67, 1971.
 49. Muiesan, G., C. A. Sorbini, and V. Grassi. Respiratory function in the aged. Bull. Eur. Physiopathol. Resp. 7: 973–1009, 1971.
 50. Murray, J. F. The Normal Lung. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1976.
 51. Nelson, N. M. Neonatal pulmonary function Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 13: 769–799, 1966.
 52. Niewoehner, D. E., and J. Kleinerman. Morphologic basis of pulmonary resistance in the human lung and effects of aging. J. Appl. Physiol. 36: 412–418, 1974.
 53. Niewoehner, D. E., and J. Kleinerman. Morphometric study of elastic fibers in normal and emphysematous human lungs. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 115: 15–21, 1977.
 54. Peters, J. M., R. L. H. Murphy, and B. G. Ferris, Jr.. Ventilatory function in workers exposed to low levels of toluene‐di‐isocyanate: a six month follow up. Br. J. Ind. Med. 26: 115–120, 1969.
 55. Peters, J. M., G. P. Theriault, L. J. Fine, and D. H. Wegman. Chronic effect of fire fighting on pulmonary function. N. Engl. J. Med. 291: 1320–1322, 1974.
 56. Peterson, D. D., A. I. Pack, D. A. Silage, and A. P. Fishman. Effects of aging on ventilatory and occlusion pressure responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 124: 387–391, 1981.
 57. Pham, O. T., J. M. Mur, N. Chan, M. Gabieno, J. C. Henquel, and D. Teculescu. Prognostic value of acetylcholine challenge test: a prospective study. Br. J. Ind. Med. 41: 207–271, 1984.
 58. Pierce, J. A., and R. V. Bert. Fibrous network of the lung and its change with age. Thorax 20: 469–476, 1965.
 59. Pontoppidan, H., and H. K. Beecher. Progressive loss of protective reflexes in the airway with the advance of age. JAMA 174: 2209–2213, 1960.
 60. Raine, J. M., and J. M. Bishop. A‐a difference in O2 tension and physiological dead space in normal man. J. Appl. Physiol. 18: 284–288, 1963.
 61. Rebuck, A. S., J. Rigg, M. Kangalee, and L. Pengelly. Control of tidal volume during rebreathing. J. Appl. Physiol. 37: 475–478, 1974.
 62. Rijcken, B., J. P. Schouten, S. T. Weiss, M. Segal, F. E. Speizer, and R. van der Lende. Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between bronchial hyperreactivity and pulmonary function. In: Bronchitis IV, edited by H. J. Sluiter and R. van der Lende. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1989, p. 94–119.
 63. Rijcken, B., J. P. Schouten, S. T. Weiss, F. E. Speizer, and R. van der Lende. The relationship of nonspecific bronchial responsiveness to respiratory symptoms in a random population sample. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 136: 62–68, 1987.
 64. Rizzato, G., and L. Marazzini. Thoracoabdominal mechanics in elderly men. J. Appl. Physiol. 28: 457–460, 1970.
 65. Sixt, R., B. Bake, and H. Oxhoj. The single‐breath N2‐test and spirometry in healthy non‐smoking males. Eur. J. Respir. Dis. 65: 296–304, 1984.
 66. Sorbini, C. A., V. Grassi, E. Solinas, and G. Muiesan. Arterial oxygen tension in relation to age in healthy subjects. Respiration 25: 3–13, 1968.
 67. Sparrow, D., R. Bossé, B. Rosner, and S. T. Weiss. The effect of occupational exposure on pulmonary function: a longitudinal evaluation of fire fighters and nonfire fighters. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. US: 319–322, 1982.
 68. Sparrow, D., G. O'Connor, T. Colton, C. L. Barry, and S. T. Weiss. The relationship of nonspecific bronchial responsiveness to the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and decreased levels of pulmonary function. The Normative Aging Study. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 135: 1255–1260, 1987.
 69. Sparrow, D., G. T. O'Connor, B. Rosner, M. R. Segal, and S. T. Weiss. The influence of age and level of pulmonary function on nonspecific airway responsiveness. The Normative Aging Study. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 143: 978–982, 1991.
 70. Speizer, F. E., and I. B. Tager. Epidemiology of chronic mucus hypersecretion and obstructive airways disease. Epidemiol. Rev. 1: 124–142, 1979.
 71. Tack, M., M. D. Altose, and N. S. Cherniack. Effect of aging on respiratory sensations produced by elastic loads. J. Appl. Physiol. 50: 844–850, 1981.
 72. Tack, M., M. D. Altose, and N. S. Cherniack. Effect of aging on the perception of resistive ventilatory loads. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 126 (suppl.): 463–467, 1982.
 73. Tager, I. B., B. Rosner, P. V. Tishler, F. E. Speizer, and E. H. Kass. Household aggregation of pulmonary function and chronic bronchitis. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 114: 485–492, 1976.
 74. Tager, I. B., S. T. Weiss, A. Munoz, B. Rosner, and F. E. Speizer. Longitudinal study of the effects of maternal smoking on pulmonary function in children. N. Engl. J. Med. 309: 699–703, 1983.
 75. Tenney, S. M., and R. M. Miller. Dead space ventilation in old age. J. Appl. Physiol. 9: 321–327, 1956.
 76. Terry, P. B., R. J. Traystman, H. H. Newball, G. Batra, and H. A. Menkes. Collateral ventilation in man. N. Engl. J. Med. 298: 10–15, 1978.
 77. Thurlbeck, W. M. The internal surface area of non‐emphyse‐matous lungs. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 95: 765–773, 1967.
 78. Thurlbeck, W. M., The effect of age on the lung. Aging—Its Chemistry, edited by A. A. Dietz. Washington: American Association for Clinical Chemistry, 1980, p. 88–109.
 79. Turner, J. M., J. Mead, and M. E. Wohl. Elasticity of human lungs in relation to age. J. Appl. Physiol. 25: 664–671, 1968.
 80. Weiss, S. T., and D. Sparrow. Airway Responsiveness and Atopy in the Development of Chronic Lung Disease. New York: Raven Press, 1989.
 81. Weiss, S. T., I. B. Tager, J. W. Weiss, A. Munoz, F. E. Speizer, and R. H. Ingram, Jr.. The epidemiology of airways responsiveness in a population sample of adults and children. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 129: 898–902, 1984.
 82. West, J. B. Ventilation/Blood Flow and Gas Exchange. Oxford: Blackwell, 1977, p. 28–29.

Contact Editor

Submit a note to the editor about this article by filling in the form below.

* Required Field

How to Cite

David Sparrow, Scott T. Weiss. Respiratory System. Compr Physiol 2011, Supplement 28: Handbook of Physiology, Aging: 475-483. First published in print 1995. doi: 10.1002/cphy.cp110118