Elastic recoil
the rebound of the lungs after having been stretched by inhalation
Elastic recoil refers to the tendency of elastic structures to both resist deformation and return to a neutral state after being deformed. This is accomplished through the use of potential energy generated in an elastic structure as it is stretched by an external force. In biology, elastic recoil is demonstrated to varying degrees by different tissues, with more elastic tissues demonstrating a greater capacity to generate force in response to being stretched. In particular, elastic recoil serves an important biological function in the lungs, in blood vessels, in skeletal muscles, and in skin.
In the lungs, elastic recoil refers to the rebound after the stretching caused by inhalation. With inhalation, the intrapleural pressure of the lungs decreases. Relaxing the diaphragm during expiration allows the lungs to recoil, thereby returning the intrapleural pressure to its resting level. This phenomenon occurs because of the elastin in the elastic fibers in the connective tissue of the lungs, and because of the surface tension of the film of fluid that lines the alveoli. Elastic recoil is inversely related to lung compliance.
In blood vessels, elastic fibers expand from the force of the blood pumped from the left ventricle and recoil after the surge of blood passes.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “Elastic recoil” as the rebound of the lungs after having been stretched by inhalation. Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
Why this record matters
The subject matters to the general reference register because the source frames it as the rebound of the lungs after having been stretched by inhalation. Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
Vocabulary and entity names are the principal evidence signals here, because they determine the precision of every later search. The source revision retrieved here is dated Oct 6, 2025. The linked authority identifier is Q5353564. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
The absence of detail may reflect summary conventions rather than a lack of surviving documentation. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Elastic recoil”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Elastic recoil primary sources, Elastic recoil archive and Elastic research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Elastic recoil”?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Elastic recoil” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.