Elastic recoil

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Elastic recoil means the rebound of the

lung compliance
.

This phenomenon occurs because of the

hydrophobic region. By absorbing to the air-water interface of alveoli with the hydrophilic head groups in the water and the hydrophobic tails facing towards the air, the main lipid component of surfactant, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, reduces surface tension. It also means the rate of shrinking is more regular because of the stability of surface area caused by surfactant. Pleural pressure is the pressure in the pleural space. When this pressure is lower than the pressure of alveoli they tend to expand. This prevents the elastic fibers and outside pressure from crushing the lungs. It is a homeostatic
mechanism.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Sherwood, L. (2007). Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems, 6th ed, Thomson Brooks/Cole, Belmont, CA.