Biology / Unit 13 Bio 3159 short lesson, about 20 seconds
V/Q Mismatch Mechanism
Captions available
The idea
Ventilation-perfusion, or V/Q, mismatch occurs when airflow and blood flow to the same lung region fall out of proportion, reducing that region's exchange efficiency.
In practice
A region with blood flow but little airflow cannot oxygenate that blood effectively.
Where people slip
A mismatch can run either direction — too little airflow for the blood, or too little blood for the airflow.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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