ABSTRACT
The ultimate outcome of these functions is adequate oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination to maintain normal cellular and organ function. Thus, one might expect that an arterial blood gas analysis would be all that is necessary to assess overall lung function. However, because the lungs have a significant functional reserve, normal arterial blood gases might be maintained in the face of severe derangements of other aspects of lung function. In fact, these other derangements, such as limitation to airflow or restriction of lung volume, are more likely responsible for the symptoms of pulmonary disease. Accord ingly, these specific aspects of lung function must also be assessed in order to understand the pathophysiology of lung disease.
