Figure 1
From: Bench-to-bedside review: Recruitment and recruiting maneuvers
Schematic representation of mechanisms of injury during tidal ventilation. Dependent areas are poorly aerated at end-expiration because of compressing hydrostatic pressures. At end-inspiration, patent alveoli may become over-stretched (A), excessive stresses may be generated at the boundary between aerated and nonaerated lung tissue (B), and dependent alveoli may be repetitively opened and closed producing tissue damage (C).