| Airway Resistance
Aliases: Lung Resistance; Pulmonary Resistance; Raw; RL
Definition:
Airway resistance is the opposition to airflow through the respiratory tract.
It increases when airway diameter decreases because of bronchoconstriction,
airway-wall swelling, mucus accumulation, or structural remodeling.
Lung resistance or pulmonary resistance (RL) is commonly reported
in animal asthma studies and may include resistance arising from both the
conducting airways and other components of the respiratory system.
Asthma relevance:
Airway/lung resistance is commonly increased in asthma and is frequently
measured after challenge with methacholine or another bronchoconstrictor.
A reduction in elevated or methacholine-induced resistance generally indicates
improved airway function.
Direction:
Airway Resistance ↑ = generally adverse
Airway Resistance ↓ = generally beneficial in asthma
Typical pathway:
Bronchoconstriction / mucus / airway inflammation
→ airway lumen narrowing
→ Airway Resistance ↑
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