#265 West Zones of the Lung Explained - Perfusion, Ventilation & Clinical Significance

WhiteBoard Medicine - Emergency And Critical Care · May 18, 2026 · 28m

West zones of the lung are fundamental to understanding how ventilation and perfusion interact in both normal physiology and critical illness. In this episode, we break down the West zones (Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3) in a simple, clinically relevant way so you can understand how blood flow is distributed throughout the lung—and why it matters at the bedside. We cover: The physiology behind the West zones of the lung How alveolar, arterial, and venous pressures interact Differences between Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3 How position, ventilation, and hemodynamics affect perfusion Clinical…