ABSTRACT
This chapter describes theoretical and experimental research relating the surface tension-area (σ-A) behavior of lung surfactant to pulmonary pressure-volume (P-V) mechanics. Also discussed are theories and experiments examining the role of lung surfactant in alveolar stability and theoretical work on the adsorption and dynamic film properties of phospholipids and lung surfactants. Coverage focuses on an overview of basic concepts and significance, without extensive mathematical detail. The thermodynamic relationship between the surface activity of lung surfactant and pulmonary pressure-volume work was recognized in the 1950’s and has since been examined in a variety of studies. Research has also modeled surface activity theoretically and correlated surface active properties with effects on mechanics. An extensive body of theory and experiment has also addressed the contributions of surface and tissue forces to pulmonary biomechanics, as well as the importance of lung surfactant in alveolar stability as discussed here.
