title: Development of a three-dimensional model of the human respiratory system for dosimetric use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Determining the fate of inhaled contaminants in the human respiratory system has challenged scientists for years. Human and animal studies have provided some data, but there is a paucity of data for toxic contaminants and sensitive populations (such as children, elderly, diseased).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-dimensional modeling programs and publicly available human physiology data have been used to develop a comprehensive model of the human respiratory system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The in silico human respiratory system model, which includes the extrathoracic region (nasal, oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal passages), the upper airways (trachea and main bronchi), the tracheobronchial tree, and branching networks through alveolar region, allows for virtually any variation of airway geometries and disease states. The model allows for parameterization of variables that define the subject's airways by integrating morphological changes created by disease, age, etc. with a dynamic morphology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The model can be used for studies of sensitive populations and the homeland security community, in cases where inhalation studies on humans cannot be conducted with toxic contaminants of interest.
authors: US EPA Office of Research and Development, Durham, NC 27711, USA. rosati.jacky@epa.gov
authors: Jacky A
authors: JA
authors: Rosati Rowe
authors: Ray
authors: R
authors: Burton
authors: George
authors: G
authors: McGregor
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: McCauley
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Tang
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
references: ALTEX. 2008;25(2):91-102
references: 18551232
references: Respir Physiol. 1979 Jul;37(2):161-72
references: 472520
references: Toxicol Sci. 2012 Aug;128(2):500-16
references: 22584687
references: Aerosol Sci Technol. 2011 Jan;45(1):11-25
references: 21307962
references: Anat Rec. 1978 Feb;190(2):167-76
references: 629400
references: Bull Math Biol. 1980;42(3):461-80
references: 7378614
references: Inhal Toxicol. 2006 Sep;18(10):773-80
references: 16774866
references: Comput Biol Med. 2001 Nov;31(6):499-511
references: 11604154