alveolar air equation

al·ve·o·lar air e·qua·tion

(al-vē'ŏ-lăr ār ĕ-kwā'zhŭn) An equation that calculates an approximation of alveolar oxygen tension if the fractional concentration of inspired oxygen, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and respiratory exchange ratio (i.e., carbon dioxide production divided by oxygen consumption) are known.