Blood–air barrier

The blood–air barrier (alveolar–capillary barrier or membrane) exists in the gas exchanging region of the lungs. It exists to prevent air bubbles from forming in the blood, and from blood entering the alveoli. It is formed by the type 1 pneumocytes of the alveolar wall, the endothelial cells of the capillaries and the basement membrane between the two cells. The barrier is permeable to molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and many other gases.[1]

Blood–air barrier
Gaseous exchange in the lung
Details
SystemRespiratory system
LocationLungs
Identifiers
MeSHD015824
THH3.05.02.0.00040
Anatomical terminology

Structure
Cross section of an alveoli with capillaries. The barrier is pointed above everything.

This blood-air barrier is extremely thin (approximately 600 nm-2μm; in some places merely 200 nm) to allow sufficient oxygen diffusion, yet it is extremely strong. This strength comes from the type IV collagen in between the endothelial and epithelial cells. Damage can occur to this barrier at a pressure difference of around 40 millimetres of mercury (0.053 bar).

Clinical significance

Failure of the barrier may occur in a pulmonary barotrauma. This can be a result of several possible causes, including blast injury, swimming-induced pulmonary edema, and breathing gas entrapment or retention in the lung during depressurization, which can occur during ascent from underwater diving or loss of pressure from a pressurized vehicle, habitat or pressure suit.

Possible consequences of rupture of the blood–air barrier include arterial gas embolism and hemoptysis.

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See also
  • Blood–brain barrier – Semipermeable capillary border that allows selective passage of blood constituents into the brain
  • Blood–ocular barrier – A physical barrier between the local blood vessels and most parts of the eye itself
  • Blood–retinal barrier – Part of the blood–ocular barrier that prevents certain substances from entering the retina
  • Blood–testis barrier – A physical barrier between the blood vessels and the seminiferous tubules of the animal testes
  • Blood–thymus barrier – A barrier formed by the continuous blood capillaries in the thymic cortex
  • Pulmonary vein – The veins that transfer oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart

References
  1. Sheenan Kindlen (2003). Physiology for Health Care and Nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 130. ISBN 0-443-07116-0.
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