Thoracic Expansion Exercises - ACBT

• Thoracic Expansion Exercises:

  • Lower thoracic expansion exercises aim to actively increase the lung volume above tidal volume
  • Promotes airflow through the collateral ventilation system
  • Enhanced interdependence (the expanding forces exerted by adjacent alveoli)
  • Results in
  • mobilisation of secretions
  • re-expansion of lung tissue
  • Can add in inspiratory hold +/- sniff
• Collateral channels:

  • Pores of Kohn
  • intraalveolar
  • alveolar septa have small fenestrations that provide communications between neighbouring alveoli
  • Channels of Lambert
  • broncho-alveolar
  • Channels of Martin
  • interbronchiolar

  
• Alveolar Interdependence:

  • the expanding forces exerted by adjacent alveoli
  • prevents alveolus from collapsing