Letter: e

Impedance produced by the static elastic recoil of the lung and thorax (e.g., elasticity of the lung interstitium, surface tension effects of alveolar fluid, elasticity of the chest wall, disease such as emphysema).

Forces that promote collapse of the alveoli and lung, thus contributing to instability. Elastic forces are due to the elastic connective tissue of the lung interstitium and to surface tension caused by the fluid lining the alveoli; forces the air out.

The tendency of a material to return to its original form after having been deformed; the character or quality of such a material. Elastance is the reciprocal of compliance. SEE compliance.

Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm

That part of the flow-volume loop not determined by the degree of respiratory effort expended.

That part of the flow-volume loop determined by the degree of respiratory effort expended.

An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues or serous cavities; causes a puffy swelling.

A superficial inflammation process involving primarily the epidermis, marked early by redness, itching, minute papules and vesicles, weeping, oozing, and crusting; and later by scaling, lichenification, and often pigmentation.