Anatomical Dead Space
This is termed dead space because the air does not reach the alveoli and is not involved in gas exchange.
Anatomical dead space. Anatomical dead space is that portion of the airways such as the mouth and trachea to the bronchioles which conducts gas to the alveoli. The anatomic dead space fills with inspired air at the end of each inspiration but this air is exhaled unchanged. In healthy lungs where the alveolar dead space is small fowler s method accurately measures the anatomic dead space by a nitrogen washout technique.
Anatomical dead space in pulmonary physiology the area in the trachea bronchi and air passages containing air that does not reach the alveoli during inspiration and is not involved in gas exchange. Formerly presumed to extend down to the beginning of alveolar epithelium in the respiratory bronchioles but more recent evidence indicates that effective gas exchange extends some distance up the thicker walled conducting airways because of rapid longitudinal mixing. The dead space in that portion of the respiratory system which is external to the alveoli and includes the air conveying ducts from the nostrils to the terminal bronchioles compare physiological dead space.
No gas exchange is possible in these spaces.