As the Generation Number of the Airway Increases

Question

As the generation number of the airway increases
A) The size of the airway increases and the aggregate cross-sectional area increases
B) The size of the airway decreases and the aggreagate cross-sectional area
increases
C) The size of the airway increases and the aggregate cross-sectional area decreases
D) The size of the airway decreases and the aggregate cross-sectional area decreases
E) The airways become stiffer

Accepted Answer

As the generation number of the airway increases, the individual airways become smaller in diameter, but the total or aggregate cross-sectional area of all the airways at each generation level increases. This is because there are more airways at each subsequent generation, spreading out the airflow and reducing velocity, which is important for efficient gas exchange in the lungs.