Airway Resistance
The opposition to airflow within the respiratory tract, measured as the pressure difference required to generate a unit of airflow. In pediatric pulmonology, elevated airway resistance is a hallmark of obstructive conditions such as asthma.
Full Definition
Airway resistance (Raw) quantifies the friction encountered by airflow as it moves through the bronchial tree, trachea, and upper airways. It is calculated as the ratio of driving pressure to flow rate and is expressed in cmH₂O/L/s. In children, airway resistance is developmentally higher per unit lung volume than in adults due to smaller absolute airway diameters. Editors must ensure it is not conflated with lung compliance, which describes distensibility rather than flow opposition. Elevated airway resistance is clinically significant in asthma, croup, and bronchomalacia.
Usage
Usage note: Abbreviate as 'Raw' (italicised subscript per ATS convention) in technical manuscripts; spell out fully on first reference in clinical summaries.
In Context
- "The pulmonologist documented significantly increased airway resistance on the infant's plethysmography report, consistent with moderate bronchospasm." — Clinical case report
- "Editors reviewing respiratory physiology manuscripts should distinguish airway resistance from lung compliance, as authors frequently conflate the two." — Editorial style guide