P25.2: Pneumomediastinum originating in the perinatal period

We have 2 lungs. Various organs lie between the lungs, such as the heart, trachea (windpipe) and oesophagus (gullet). These organs are surrounded by connective tissue. You need lungs to breath. When you breathe in, the air with the oxygen passes through the airways to the lungs. The respiratory tract ends in the air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen passes into the blood in the pulmonary alveoli (air sacs). The pulmonary alveoli and the airways are surrounded by supportive tissue. This supportive tissue consists of connective tissue.

If the child’s pulmonary alveoli tear, air can get into its chest. Pulmonary alveoli can tear in the course of artificial respiration. Pulmonary alveoli can also tear the first time the baby breathes after being born. If pulmonary alveoli tear, health problems can occur. The extent of the health problems depends on how many pulmonary alveoli have torn. The lungs may be unable to absorb so much air so that there is a fall in the blood's oxygen content. If air collects in the connective tissue between the lungs, there may be pain and breathlessness.