Collateral ventilation

Collateral Ventilation is a physiological process that allows air to travel from one alveolus to another through pores of Kohn, canals of Lambert, and bronchiole-alveolar duct junctions. This process is particularly important in conditions where the normal airways are obstructed, such as in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

Physiology

In healthy lungs, the primary route of ventilation is through the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. However, in certain pathological conditions, these airways may become obstructed, necessitating an alternative route for air to reach the alveoli. This is where collateral ventilation comes into play.

The three main pathways for collateral ventilation are the pores of Kohn, canals of Lambert, and bronchiole-alveolar duct junctions. The pores of Kohn are small openings in the alveolar walls that allow air to pass between adjacent alveoli. The canals of Lambert are small airways that connect the alveoli to the bronchioles. The bronchiole-alveolar duct junctions are potential spaces between the bronchioles and alveoli that can open up to allow air flow when the normal airways are obstructed.

Clinical Significance

Collateral ventilation plays a crucial role in conditions such as COPD and emphysema. In these diseases, the normal airways are obstructed, leading to difficulty in breathing. However, the presence of collateral ventilation allows air to reach the alveoli through alternative routes, thereby maintaining some degree of gas exchange and oxygenation.

In addition to its role in disease, collateral ventilation is also an important consideration in certain medical procedures. For example, in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR), a procedure used to treat severe emphysema, the degree of collateral ventilation can influence the success of the procedure.

See Also

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Emphysema
• Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction
• Pores of Kohn
• Canals of Lambert