This chapter briefly details the major functional consequences of pulmonary
diseases. In particular, respiratory disorders are reviewed in terms of their etiopathology and
effects on alveolar dead space, conductive shunt, maldistribution shunt-like effect, diffusion
impairment, partial pressure of arterial blood gases, acid-base balance, tissue oxygenation,
pulmonary circulation, mechanics (static and dynamic) and control of breathing.
Keywords: Asthma, Bronchiectasis, Bronchiolitis, Chronic bronchitis,
Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease (COPD), Control-of-Breathing
Disorders, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Extra-thoracic Obstruction, Interstitial
Pulmonary-Fibrosis, Mediastinal Diseases, Muco-Ciliary Clearance,
Phagocytic-Inflammatory Cells, Pneumonia, Pneumothorax, Pulmonary Edema,
Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Hypertension, Respiratory Failure (ARDS,
IRDS), Respiratory-Mechanics Disorders.
