Question

Which of the following is an effect on the pulmonary system due to the aging process?

Question 3 options:

	1) More rigidity in alveolar walls
	2) Reduced respiratory rate
	3) Decreased chest wall compliance
	4) Increased elastic recoil

Answer 1

With aging these are the following which effects pulmonary system:_

1) More rigidity of alvelolar walls- Alveoli are the air sacs where gaseous exchange occurs. For these exchange of gases these walls are highly elastic and easy exchange of gases however, with increasing age elasticity of alveolar walla decrease and these alveolar walls become more rigid.

2) Reduced respiratory rate- Respiratory muscle strength decrease with age. Usulaly there is not huge decline observed. respiratory rate remains nearly same.

3) Decreased chest wall compliance- Ability of lungs to absorb the same applied force which generally is the result of change in intra-thoracic pressure. With aging there is decrease in chest wall compliance. Lungs became stiff with age.

4) Increased elastic recoil- Elastic recoil is lung's intrinsic tedency to deflate following inflation. As known with aging lungs became stiff so lungs have higher than normal level of elastic recoil. age related decrease in elasticity explains the increase in elastic recoil.