Physiological applications of Laplace Law

In physiology, the Laplace Law describes the relationship between the pressure required to keep a spherical hollow organ open:

P = 2*T/r

For pressure P (dynes/cm²), surface tension T (dynes/cm), and the radius r (cm)

This means that to stay open, small organs require either a lot of pressure or decreased surface tension.

Such organs include not only to alveoli but also the heart and bladder.

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This article needs to also explain/link to the relationship between the pressure-volume loop and law of Laplace from cardiology and include an appropriate graph.

References[edit | edit source]

Costanzo, L., 2019. Physiology - Board Review Series. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, p.121.