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Airway Humidification in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient

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Understanding Mechanical Ventilation

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Abstract

Inhaled air is cold and dry. The highly vascularized nasal mucosa warms and humidifies it, and makes it suitable for breathing.

The surface area of the nasal mucosa is enlarged by the three nasal turbinates. As the air is drawn around these, the laminar airflow becomes turbulent. Eddy currents allow better contact of the inspired air with the mucosa and facilitate the transfer of heat and humidity.

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  1. 1 Maruthi Heights Road No. Banjara Hills, Flat 1-E, Hyderabad, 500034, India

    Ashfaq Hasan

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Hasan, A. (2010). Airway Humidification in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient. In: Understanding Mechanical Ventilation. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-869-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-869-8_15

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