Ventilation perfusion coupling means that more blood flows past functional alveoli than past nonfunctional alveoli.

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Ventilation perfusion coupling is the ability of the lungs to match the amount of air reaching the alveoli (ventilation) with the amount of blood reaching the alveoli (perfusion). This means that areas of the lungs with more air (better ventilation) will receive more blood flow (better perfusion) and areas with less air (poorer ventilation) will receive less blood flow (poorer perfusion). This results in more blood flow past functional alveoli (where there is sufficient air) than past nonfunctional alveoli (where there is insufficient air).

Ventilation Perfusion Coupling Means That More Blood Flows Past Functional