Flow limitation during forced inspiration
In the case of a large obstructing
lesion in the extrathoracic trachea or the larynx an inspiratory
flow-limiting segment may develop outside the thorax. In such
circumstances inspiratory flow does become effort independent
(shown in the animation below).
The resulting inspiratory flow-volume curve is typical of the pathological problem, i.e. an inspiratory
plateau at diminished flow. In the case of very severe obstruction
expiratory flow may be similarly limited at a plateau in the absence of a
compressed flow limiting segment.
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