“…Numerous studies have demonstrated decreases in the compliance of the lungs (2,8,10,11,13,14,25) or of the total respiratory system (26,35) and in the vital capacity (13) after oxygen exposure. We argue, however, that the previously reported marked increases in the resistance of the total respiratory system (Rrs) or of the lungs (RL) (10,11,13,14,26,31,34,35) do not necessarily reflect alterations in the airway function because these global resistive parameters incorporate a significant component related to the respiratory tissues (Rti) (1,16,18,19,23,29,30).…”