Optimality in the Human Lung Airways

Abstract

A lung is an organ made to achieve the ideal gas exchange performance, with minimal energy and material consumption. In this study, the optimization principle of the human bronchial structure was studied by the following method. First, analyzing the details of the bronchial structure data for whole lung. Second, the difference analysis of bronchial structure by lobes. And analyzing the basic features of the tree structure. Based on these results, new theories for the optimal tube diameter, tube length, length-to-diameter ratio, tube volume and branching angle is identified which satisfies the shape, size and distribution of alveoli, uniforms flow rate, pressure and concentration, minimization of energy loss for gas exchange and maximization of space filling.