Which of the following is true related to oxygen diffusion?
A) It is normally perfusion limited but under certain abnormal pulmonary conditions can become diffusion limited
B) It is normally diffusion limited but under certain abnormal pulmonary condition can become perfusion limited
C) It can only be diffusion limited
D) It can only be perfusion limited

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oxygen diffusion is usually perfusion limited, meaning that the rate of oxygen uptake is limited by the rate of blood flow through the pulmonary capillaries. However, under certain abnormal pulmonary conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or thickening of the alveolar membrane, oxygen diffusion can become diffusion limited, meaning the rate of oxygen uptake is limited by the rate of diffusion across the alveolar membrane.

Which of the Following Is True Related to Oxygen Diffusion