Physiological dead space is the portion of the respiratory system that does not participate in gas exchange due to impaired ventilation-perfusion matching. The total volume of anatomical dead space is approximately 150 mL in an adult. It also includes any airways or conduits that come into contact with the alveoli but do not make up part of the ventilation-perfusion ratio, such as the conducting airways. This includes any airways or conduits that do not come into contact with alveoli, such as the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. Understanding the difference between the two can help to explain why certain lung conditions can cause difficulty in breathing.Īnatomical dead space is the portion of the respiratory system that does not participate in gas exchange. This can be divided into two categories: anatomical dead space and physiological dead space.

It is the portion of the airway that does not participate in the exchange of gases. What is the Difference Between Anatomical and Physiological Dead Space?ĭead space is an important concept in the study of respiratory physiology.

Anatomical dead space includes