Collateral Ventilation

• Collateral Channels:

  • tiny channels within our lungs
• Pores of Kohn:

  • window between 2 alveoli
• Channel of Martin:

  • between 2 bronchioles
• Channel of Lambert:

  • go from a bronchiole to an alveoli
• Collateral channels:

  • Channels of Lambert
  • Channels of Martin
  • Pores of Kohn

  
• • normally resistance to air flow through the collateral channels is high at rest
• • Respiratory bronchioles lead to alveolar ducts which leads to alveoli sacs which contain many individual alveoli
• How could we increase airflow through the collateral channels?

  • taking deep breathes open/pull respiratory muscles and allow lungs to stretch
  • exercise causes patients to take deep breathes, allowing them to increase airflow through the collateral channels
• • if a sputum plug is present, no air will reach the alveoli, causing it to collapse
  • so physios try to recruit patients collateral channels to get air into the alveoli, reinflating it
  • and getting air behind the sputum plug will help move it more proximally, allowing patient to cough and clear it