diffusing capacity (redirected from Diffusion capacity)

dif·fus·ing capacity (d-fyzng)

n.

The capacity of the alveolocapillary membrane to transfer gas.

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diffusing capacity

[difyo̅o̅′sing]

the rate of gas transfer through a unit area of a permeable membrane per unit of gas pressure difference across it. It is affected by specific chemical reactions that may occur in the blood. Also called diffusion factor, transfer factor of lungs.

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diffusing capacity

the rate at which a gas diffuses across the alveolar-capillary membrane per unit difference in the partial pressure of the gas across the membrane, expressed in ml/min/mmHg. Because of their high affinity for hemoglobin both oxygen and carbon monoxide are limited in their rate of diffusion by their diffusing capacity.

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diffusing capacity

Pulmonary medicine A measure of a substance's efficiency in transversing a particular barrier, which in the lungs corresponds to the ability of gases in the alveolar space to enter the blood, and of the gases in the blood to enter the alveoli for removal from the body by exhalation. See Pulmonary function test.