CHAPTER 4: WHAT ABOUT THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

A quick review of the physiology of respiration is made assuming that the reader is acquainted with the subject to proceed, thereafter, to more challenging subareas of this essential function. After clearly defining what normal respiration is, high altitudes and deep sea responses are visited trying to update as much as possible. The theoretical side of the problem is also reviewed. This approach may help in a better understanding of respiratory distress and also in the design of ventilators.