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A simple model for understanding cohesive forces of the intrapleural space

2003; American Physical Society; Volume: 27; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1152/advan.00058.2002

1522-1229

David W. Rodenbaugh, Heidi L. Collins, Stephen E. DiCarlo,

Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases

ILLUMINATIONSA simple model for understanding cohesive forces of the intrapleural spaceDavid W. Rodenbaugh, Heidi L. Collins, and Stephen E. DicarloDavid W. RodenbaughDepartment of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201 E-mail: , Heidi L. CollinsDepartment of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201 E-mail: , and Stephen E. DicarloDepartment of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201 E-mail: Published Online:01 Mar 2003https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00058.2002MoreSectionsPDF (52 KB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat The concept and physiological significance of the cohesive forces of the intrapleural space are often difficult for students to grasp. To help students understand this concept, a simple model is often utilized. Students are told that the outer surface of the lung is lined with a membrane called the visceral pleura, and the inside of the thorax is lined with a membrane called the parietal pleura. These pleural membranes juxtapose to form a pleural sac around the lung. The space within the pleural sac contains a few milliliters of fluid. The intrapleural fluid holds the visceral and parietal pleura together. The model utilized to facilitate the understanding of this concept is two microscope slides with a few droplets of water placed between them. The slides move easily over one another horizontally; however, it is very difficult to pull them apart perpendicularly. Similarly, intrapleural fluid creates a slippery surface, allowing the lungs to slide within the chest against the thoracic wall. In addition, when the chest expands during inspiration, the lungs are compelled to follow so that the lungs and chest expand as a single unit. Thus, when the diaphragm contracts and increases thoracic volume, the lung slides against the thoracic wall and lung volume increases by a similar amount. Students’ eyes light up when these concepts are illustrated with this simple model.This article has no references to display. Download PDF Previous Back to Top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByShock and awe pedagogy!Heidi L. Lujan and Stephen E. DiCarlo3 October 2016 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 40, No. 4A student-centered approach for developing active learning: the construction of physical models as a teaching tool in medical physiology15 September 2014 | BMC Medical Education, Vol. 14, No. 1Learning by doing: construction and manipulation of a skeletal muscle model during lectureDavid W. Rodenbaugh, Heidi L. Lujan, and Stephen E. DiCarlo1 December 2012 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 36, No. 4How does a hopping kangaroo breathe?Mauricio J. Giuliodori, Heidi L. Lujan, Hussein Janbaih, and Stephen E. DiCarlo1 December 2010 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 34, No. 4Hooke's law: applications of a recurring principleMauricio J. Giuliodori, Heidi L. Lujan, Whitney S. Briggs, Gurunanthan Palani, and Stephen E. DiCarlo1 December 2009 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 33, No. 4A model of locomotor-respiratory coupling in quadrupedsMauricio J. Giuliodori, Heidi L. Lujan, Whitney S. Briggs, and Stephen E. DiCarlo1 December 2009 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 33, No. 4Teaching alveolar ventilation with simple, inexpensive modelsStephen E. DiCarlo1 September 2008 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 32, No. 3Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends improve the understanding of oxygen delivery and the pathophysiology of hypoxaemiaAnaesthesia, Vol. 61, No. 11Too much teaching, not enough learning: what is the solution?Heidi L. Lujan, and Stephen E. DiCarlo1 March 2006 | Advances in Physiology Education, Vol. 30, No. 1 More from this issue > Volume 27Issue 1March 2003Pages 42-43 Copyright & Permissions© 2003 American Physiological Societyhttps://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00058.2002PubMed12594074History Published online 1 March 2003 Published in print 1 March 2003 Metrics