3. Disorders of Ventilation and Lung Mechanics Flashcards
what is the conducting portion of the respiratory tract?
Nasal cavity Pharynx Larynx Trachea Primary bronchi Secondary bronchi Bronchioles Terminal bronchioles
what is the respiratory portion of the respiratory tract?
Respiratory bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveoli
what do lungs need to overcome to expand?
- Elastic properties of alveolar walls
* Surface tension of alveolar fluid
what does expiration need to overcome?
– Need to overcome airways resistance
define elastance
Elastance is a measure of elastic recoil = the tendency of something that has been distended to return to its original size
defien complliance
Ease at which an elastic structure can be stretched
What is the relationship between compliance and elastic recoil (measured in elastance)?
Inversely proportional
In tissues with a high compliance (easier to stretch), the elastic recoil is less
In tissues with a low compliance, elastic recoil (tendency to return to original size) is high
define lung elasticity
Lung Elasticity represents mechanical properties of the lungs to be expanded (distended) by pressures surrounding or inflating the lungs, and to collapse as soon as pressures disappear
Which factors affect lung compliance? State their relationship to compliance/how they affect compliance
Connective tissue surrounding alveoli - inversely prop (bcs the more elastic fibres –> increase in elastic recoil, meaning decrease in compliance).
Alveolar fluid surface tension - inversely prop (bcs increase in surface tension, meaning decrease in compliance).
If there is an increase in surfactant, what effect would this have on compliance? Why?
Increase in compliance bcs decrease in surface tension
How does “connective tissue surrounding alveoli tissue” and “alveolar fluid surface tension” affect elastic recoil?
•Directly related to connective tissue surrounding
alveoli - elastic fibers including elastin & collagen
and other matrix elements within the lung
parenchyma
•Directly related to alveolar fluid surface tension
what does ventilation depend on?
balance between compliance and elastic recoil
airway resistance
what does airway resistance depend on?
– Surface tension within airways – Diameter airways • Mucous in airways • Pulmonary pressure gradients • Radial Traction
How does the structure of a bronchus compare to the structure of a bronchiole?
How does the structure of a bronchus compare to the structure of a bronchiole?
Bronchioles have no cartilage.
How do they stay open in expiration?
• Due to Radial traction (outward tugging
action) of the surrounding alveolar walls
on bronchioles
• Prevents collapse of bronchioles during
expiration
Why would bronchioles collapse during expiration?
intra pulmonary pressure high pushing on bronchioles
Why is airway obstruction worse in expiration than inspiration?
Negative pressure in pleural space during inspiration helps to keep lower airways open whereas in expiration the pressure is positive which exacerbated narrowing of intra-thoracic airways.
Bronchioles don’t have rigid cartilage islands to oppose those (positive) pressures.
What is Atelectasis?
Lung collapse - Inadequate expansion of air spaces
Is atelectasis reversible?
-Yes, except for CONTRACTION ATELECTASIS
Give 3 causes of atelectasis?
Impaired pulmonary surfactant production
Compression (causing collapse)
Obstruction (causing collapse)
Explain how impaired pulmonary surfactant production leads to atelectasis (lung collapse)?
Alveoli collapse due to increased surface tension so can’t expand to ventilate lungs. Decreases compliance so lungs can’t expand and so collapse.
alveoli never expand in the first place or only partially expand
Explain how compression can lead to atelectasis (lung collapse)? Give 3 examples of things that can cause this compression?
Air in pleural cavity (pneumothorax)
Fluid in pleural cavity (pleural effusion)
Tumour
Explain how obstruction of airways leads to atelectasis (lung collapse). what is the name of this type of atelectasis?
Resorption collapse: due to obstruction of a large airway (e.g. Lung cancer, mucous plugs)
– Airway obstructed; air downstream of
blockage slowly absorbed into blood stream
– Alveoli collapse
How does atelectasis cause impaired respiratory function?
• Alveoli not ventilated
– So can’t participate in gas exchange –> impaired oxygenation and CO excretion.
• Collapsed alveoli more suggestible to lung infection
including pneumonia
What is interstitial lung disease?
an umbrella term used for a large group of diseases characterized by Thickening of pulmonary interstitium, fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, and, if the processremains unchecked, pulmonary fibrosis
is the thickening of pulmonary interstitium reversible?
sometimes reversible – sometimes not - depends - scarring due to increased collagen and pulmonary fibrosis
what is the common final pathway for interstitial lung disease if not reversible, or if reversible but cause not diagnosed,?
lung fibrosis –Early detection/treatment key to preventing irreversible progression
what does the interstitium contain?
- elastin fibres
- collagen fibres
- Fibroblasts
- Matrix substance
What is the interstitial space (in the lungs) and when is this space apparent?
Potential space between alveolar cells and the capillary basement membrane. Only apparent in disease states when it may contain fibrous tissue, cells or fluid
How does interstitial lung disease/pulmonary fibrosis impair GE?
Affects both movement of air in airway (stiffer) and diffusion of gases :
Fewer alveoli and caps bcs replaced by scar tissue. Increased space btwn cap and alveoli .
Thickened alveolar capillary membrane means diffusion distance increases.
interstitial lung disease can follow?
• Specific exposure - e.g., asbestos, drugs, mouldy hay etc
OR
• Autoimmune-mediated inflammation
OR
• Unknown injury (e.g., idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
Give causes of interstitial lung disease, including - occupational, treatment related (iatrogenic), autoimmune, immunological causes.
• Idiopathic - IPF • Occupational - coal miners lung (pneumoconiosis), - farmers lung (mouldy hay), - asbestos • Treatment related - radiation/chemo, methotrexate, nitrofurantoin • Autoimmune - SLE, RA • Immunological - sarcoidosis