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An optimal bronchial tree may be dangerous

Author

Listed:
  • B. Mauroy

    (Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan)

  • M. Filoche

    (Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan
    CNRS Ecole Polytechnique)

  • E. R. Weibel

    (University of Bern)

  • B. Sapoval

    (Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan
    CNRS Ecole Polytechnique)

Abstract

The geometry and dimensions of branched structures such as blood vessels or airways are important factors in determining the efficiency of physiological processes. It has been shown that fractal trees can be space filling1 and can ensure minimal dissipation2,3,4. The bronchial tree of most mammalian lungs is a good example of an efficient distribution system with an approximate fractal structure5,6. Here we present a study of the compatibility between physical optimization and physiological robustness in the design of the human bronchial tree. We show that this physical optimization is critical in the sense that small variations in the geometry can induce very large variations in the net air flux. Maximum physical efficiency therefore cannot be a sufficient criterion for the physiological design of bronchial trees. Rather, the design of bronchial trees must be provided with a safety factor and the capacity for regulating airway calibre. Paradoxically, our results suggest that bronchial malfunction related to asthma is a necessary consequence of the optimized efficiency of the tree structure.

Suggested Citation

  • B. Mauroy & M. Filoche & E. R. Weibel & B. Sapoval, 2004. "An optimal bronchial tree may be dangerous," Nature, Nature, vol. 427(6975), pages 633-636, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:427:y:2004:i:6975:d:10.1038_nature02287
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02287
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    Cited by:

    1. Mehmet Can Uçar & Dmitrii Kamenev & Kazunori Sunadome & Dominik Fachet & Francois Lallemend & Igor Adameyko & Saida Hadjab & Edouard Hannezo, 2021. "Theory of branching morphogenesis by local interactions and global guidance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Ionescu, Clara & Kelly, James F., 2017. "Fractional calculus for respiratory mechanics: Power law impedance, viscoelasticity, and tissue heterogeneity," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 433-440.
    3. Jinxiang Xi & Weizhong Zhao & Jiayao Eddie Yuan & JongWon Kim & Xiuhua Si & Xiaowei Xu, 2015. "Detecting Lung Diseases from Exhaled Aerosols: Non-Invasive Lung Diagnosis Using Fractal Analysis and SVM Classification," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, September.

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