1.2 - Respiratory System Flashcards
Respiratory system
State the way air travels through the body into the lungs
- Breathed in through nasal cavity or mouth
- Travels through to the trachea
- Splits into Bronchi which takes air to separate lungs
- Splits further into Bronchioles which spreads air round the lungs
- Alveoli found at end of bronchioles
State the respiratory muscles
Intercostal muscles (internal and external)
Diaphragm
Scalenes
Sternomastoids
What is the definition of inspiration?
” The act of breathing in, which is an active process.”
What happens to the diaphragm during inspiration?
Diaphragm contracts and flattens to increase space.
What happens to both intercostal muscles during inspiration?
- Internal intercostal muscles relax
- External intercostal muscles contract —> allowing ribs to move up and out.
What happens to the chest cavity during inspiration?
Chest cavity increases in size and causes a lower pressure in the lungs.
What is the definition of expiration?
“The act of breathing out, which is a passive process.”
What happens to the diaphragm during expiration?
Diaphragm relaxes and returns to its dome shape.
What happens to both intercostal muscles during expiration?
- External intercostal muscles relax
- Internal intercostal muscles contact and move in and down, as do the ribs
What happens to the chest cavity during expiration?
Chest cavity decreases in size which increases air pressure.
What is tidal volume?
Tidal volume is the normal rate of expiration and inspiration at rest.
What is the rest value of tidal volume?
500ml
What is Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)?
It is the maximum amount of air that can be breathed out after maximum inspiration.
What is the average ERV for a male at rest?
1200ml
What is Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)?
The maximum amount of air that can be breathed into the lungs?
What is the average IRV at rest for a male?
3100ml
What is residual volume?
This is the amount of air that is still in the lungs after maximum expiration.
What is the average residual volume at rest?
1200ml
What is the total lung capacity?
Total amount of air that can be in the lungs at one time. Generally the average is 6000ml.
What is vital capacity?
The distance between maximum IRV and maximum ERV.
What is the average volume of vital capacity?
4800ml
What is minute volume?
The total amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one minute.
Number of breaths X tidal volume= minute volume.
What happens to tidal volume during exercise?
Tidal volume increases as the breathing rate increases and the breaths become harder.
What happens to IRV and ERV during exercise?
Both IRV and ERV decrease during exercise as a result of tidal volume increasing.
What happens to vital capacity, residual volume and total lung capacity during exercise.
Nothing. They remain the same no matter what.
What is the name of the graph used to represent the lung volume’s?
Spirometer graph
What is the definition of gas exchange?
“The ongoing process of taking in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.”
How is gas moved during gas exchange?
Via diffusion which takes gases from a high to low concentration ( with the concentration gradient).
What is the role of partial pressure in gaseous exchange?
Allows pressure of gases to be equal in each the capillaries and alveoli after the exchange.
How are the capillaries adapted for gaseous exchange?
- High number of capillaries surrounding muscles and Alveoli.
- Short distance between the capillaries and muscle site
- Low blood velocity to allow transfer can occur.
How is alveoli adapted for gaseous exchange?
- High surface area as well as number of alveolus.
- Semi-permeable membranes of the alveoli
- Layer of moisture to allow oxygen uptake
