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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
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The air in the alveoli is renewed regularly, thanks to the [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology|ventilation]] process. Gas Exchange in the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lungs]] takes place between the blood in the capillary network surrounding the alveoli, and the air in the alveoli itself.  
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The air in the alveoli is renewed regularly, thanks to the [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology|ventilation]] process. Gas exchange in the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lungs]] takes place between the blood in the capillary network surrounding the alveoli, and the air in the alveoli itself.  
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All of the blood from the [[Structure of the Heart - Anatomy & Physiology#Right Ventricle|Right Ventricle]] flows through the capillary network which surrounds the alveoli. Another set of pulmonary capillaries recieve small amounts of arterial blood from the [[Structure of the Heart - Anatomy & Physiology#Left Ventricle|Left Ventricle]], via the '''Bronchial Arteries'''. These capillaries provide oxygen and nutrients to the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] tissue.
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All of the blood from the [[Structure of the Heart - Anatomy & Physiology#Right Ventricle|right ventricle]] flows through the '''pulmonary artery''' to the capillary network which surrounds the alveoli. Another set of pulmonary capillaries recieve small amounts of arterial blood from the [[Structure of the Heart - Anatomy & Physiology#Left Ventricle|left ventricle]], via the '''bronchial arteries'''. These capillaries provide oxygen and nutrients to the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] tissue.
    
==Principles of Gaseous Exchange==
 
==Principles of Gaseous Exchange==
    
*Gas exchange between the air within the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries occurs by ''diffusion''. The oxygen must first dissolve before passing through the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology|respiratory epithelium]].
 
*Gas exchange between the air within the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries occurs by ''diffusion''. The oxygen must first dissolve before passing through the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology|respiratory epithelium]].
*Gas moves from a region of high partial pressure to a region of low partial pressure, down a '''Partial Pressure Gradient'''.
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*Gas moves from a region of high partial pressure to a region of low partial pressure, down a '''partial pressure gradient'''. P
 
*The distance between the air within the alveoli, and the blood is approx 0.7micrometers. This distance is decreased during [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology#Inhalation|inhalation]], as the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] distends. This tiny distance allows extremely fast and efficient diffusion.
 
*The distance between the air within the alveoli, and the blood is approx 0.7micrometers. This distance is decreased during [[Ventilation - Anatomy & Physiology#Inhalation|inhalation]], as the [[Lungs - Anatomy & Physiology|lung]] distends. This tiny distance allows extremely fast and efficient diffusion.
  
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