👉 Lung math, also known as respiratory mechanics, is the branch of physics and physiology that deals with the mechanics of breathing. It involves understanding how the lungs expand and contract due to changes in pressure, which are governed by Boyle's Law (P1V1 = P2V2), where P is pressure and V is volume. The process starts when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract, increasing thoracic cavity volume and decreasing intra-thoracic pressure, causing air to flow into the lungs (inhalation). Conversely, during exhalation, these muscles relax, reducing thoracic volume and increasing pressure, forcing air out. The efficiency of this process is also influenced by factors like lung compliance (how easily the lungs expand) and airway resistance, which together determine the work of breathing. Lung math quantifies these interactions, explaining how changes in volume, pressure, and resistance affect breathing patterns and gas exchange.
