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ILLUMINATIONS

SUBMITTING ILLUMINATIONS FOR REVIEW

Department of Physiology Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, MI 48201

Abstract

As educators, we are continually designing new methods and procedures to enhance learning. During this process, good ideas are frequently generated and tested, but the extent of such activities may not be adequate for a full manuscript. Nonetheless, the ideas may be quite beneficial in improving the teaching and learning of physiology. Illuminations is a column designed to facilitate the sharing of these ideas (illuminations). The format of submissions is quite simple: a succinct description of about one or two double-spaced pages (less title and authorship) of something you have used for the classroom, teaching, lab, conference room, etc. You may include one or two simple figures or references. Submit ideas for inclusion in Illuminations directly to the Associate Editor in charge, Stephen DiCarlo (sdicarlo@med.wayne.edu).

Spirometry: simulations of obstructive and restrictive lung diseases

Pulmonary function testing by use of spirometers is useful for enhancing students’ understanding of normal lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates. Furthermore, the spirogram can be an excellent tool for understanding how lung diseases alter lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates. To facilitate this understanding, physiology programs at several schools have students determine their normal lung volumes, capacities, and flow rates by means of standard spirometry procedures (1). Subsequently, these programs have students simulate obstructive and restrictive lung diseases and repeat the procedures for pulmonary function testing. To simulate an obstructive impairment, a rubber stopper, with a small hole drilled through the center, is placed securely into the spirometer tubing. The stopper adds resistance to inspiration; however, the resistance to expiration is most dramatic. The restrictive impairment is simulated by tightly securing a weight lifter’s belt around the student’s thorax after he/she has expired toward residual volume. The belt limits chest expansion during inspiration. The resulting spirograms closely resemble typical normal, obstructive, and restrictive curves (Fig. 1). The spirometry exercise enhances students’ understanding of pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology, as well as allowing them to experience the difficulty, discomfort, and apprehension associated with lung disease.

View larger version (13K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIG. 1 Representative spirograms for normal (A), simulated obstructive (B), and simulated restrictive (C) diseases.

Acknowledgments

sdicarlo@med.wayne.edu

References

1. Carroll RG. Design and evaluation of a national set of learning objectives: the medical physiology learning objectives project. Adv Physiol Educ 25: 74–9, 2001. http://www.the-aps.org/education/medphysobj/pulm499.htm#anchor440038[Medline]

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This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rodenbaugh, D. W. Articles by Dicarlo, S. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rodenbaugh, D. W. Articles by Dicarlo, S. E.