Collateral ventilation (original) (raw)

Collateral ventilation (CV) is a back-up system of alveolar ventilation that can bypass the normal route of airflow when airways are restricted or obstructed. The pathways involved include those between adjacent alveoli (pores of Kohn), between bronchioles and alveoli (canals of Lambert), and those between bronchioles (channels of Martin).Collateral ventilation also serves to modulate imbalances in ventilation and perfusion a feature of many diseases. The pathways are altered in lung diseases particularly asthma, and emphysema. A similar functional pattern of collateralisation is seen in the circulatory system of the heart.