physiological dead space

Physiological dead space of the lungs can affect the amount of dead space as well with factors including smoking, and diseases.

Similarly, not all inspired air goes to areas of the lung where gas exchange can occur (the anatomic and the physiological dead spaces), and so is wasted.

The Bohr equation, named after Danish physician Christian Bohr (1855-1911), describes the amount of physiological dead space in a person's lungs.

The total dead space (also known as physiological dead space) is the sum of the anatomical dead space plus the alveolar dead space.

The Bohr equation is used to quantify the ratio of physiological dead space to the total tidal volume, and gives an indication of the extent of wasted ventilation.