The phrase "tidal air" refers to the air that is inhaled and exhaled during breathing. The spelling of this phrase can be explained through its phonetic transcription: /ˈtaɪdəl ɛr/. The first syllable "tidal" is pronounced as "TY-dl" with a long "i" sound followed by a "d" sound and an unstressed "a" sound. The second syllable "air" is pronounced as "air" with a long "a" sound and an "r" sound that is not silent. Together, the two syllables form the phrase "tidal air".
Tidal air refers to the volume of air that is not involved in gas exchange within the lungs during breathing. It represents the portion of each breath that does not reach the alveoli, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and blood takes place.
During inhalation and exhalation, the tidal air includes the air that enters and fills the conducting zone of the respiratory system, comprising the nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. This air occupies the dead spaces within the respiratory passages, where gas exchange does not occur. It is important to note that the tidal air does not reach the alveoli, where the actual gas exchange takes place for oxygen to be transported into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be eliminated from the body.
The measurement of tidal air is significant in understanding respiratory physiology. Tidal air volume, typically expressed in milliliters (ml), is a crucial component of lung function tests, such as spirometry. It provides important information about the efficiency of the lungs in moving air in and out of the respiratory system, as well as helps evaluate lung capacity and ventilation.
In summary, tidal air encompasses the portion of inhaled and exhaled air that does not participate in the exchange of gases within the lungs, mainly occupying the anatomical "dead spaces" of the respiratory system.
That which enters and leaves the lungs during ordinary respiration.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "tidal air" does not have a specific etymology, as it is a phrase composed of two commonly used words in English. However, examining the etymology of each word can provide some insights.
1. Tidal: The word "tidal" is derived from the Old English word "tīd", meaning "time" or "period". It is related to "tide", which initially referred to the rise and fall of the sea as a result of gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun. Over time, "tidal" began to be used more broadly to describe anything related to the tides or rhythmic movements.
2. Air: The word "air" has its roots in the Latin word "āēr", which was derived from the Greek word "aēr". It originally meant "mist" or "aether", a mythical substance believed to fill the upper regions of space.