John B. West, Respiratory Physiology [LIMITED • 2025]

: This led to his famous "West Zones," which explain how gravity creates different regions of ventilation and perfusion within the upright lung. 2. The 1981 Everest Expedition: Life at the Limit

John B. West is often called the "summit" of respiratory physiology, not just for his academic brilliance but for literally taking his laboratory to the top of the world. His career is a rare blend of and extreme physical exploration . 1. The Radioactive Breakthrough John B. West, Respiratory physiology

: They recorded the first-ever physiological measurements on the summit. They found that climbers' bodies hyperventilate so drastically that the carbon dioxide in their lungs drops to nearly impossible levels (around 7.5 mmHg), which is what actually allows oxygen to reach the blood. : This led to his famous "West Zones,"