Respiratory compensation

Respiratory compensation is a medical term referring to the process by which the respiratory system adjusts the body's pH levels by altering the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /rɛspɪrətɔːri kɒmpɛnseɪʃən/

Etymology

The term "respiratory compensation" is derived from the Latin "respirare" meaning "to breathe" and the Latin "compensatio" meaning "a weighing one thing against another".

Definition

Respiratory compensation is a mechanism that the body uses to maintain acid-base homeostasis. This process involves the lungs and is triggered when there is an imbalance in the body's pH levels. The lungs can either increase or decrease the rate of respiration to alter the amount of CO2 being eliminated from the body. This, in turn, affects the concentration of bicarbonate ions in the blood, which can help to restore the pH balance.

Related Terms

• Acid-base homeostasis
• Respiratory system
• Carbon dioxide
• Bicarbonate
• Blood gas test
• Metabolic compensation

See Also

• Respiratory alkalosis
• Respiratory acidosis
• Metabolic acidosis
• Metabolic alkalosis

References

• Medical textbooks and journals for further reading and reference.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Respiratory compensation
• Wikipedia's article - Respiratory compensation

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