Alterations in lung compliance and functional residual capacity with posture

Lung compliance and functional residual capacity were determined in the erect standing and the supine lying positions on six normal adults. Both lung compliance and functional residual capacity were proportionally reduced on resuming the supine from the standing position so that the ‘specific compliance’ remained the same at the two body positions. The correlation between lung compliance and FRC found in this study agrees well with that reported by others and the importance of considering the size of the system in assessing elastic properties of the lung is briefly discussed. Submitted on October 17, 1958