5. CP Respiratory Cycle Flashcards
What is the normal intrapleural pressure?
-5 cm H2O
What is the average intrapleural pressure upon full, normal inspiration?
-8 cm H2O
What is the alveolar pressure during inspiration?
-1 cm H2O
How much does the volume of the lungs increase during a normal breath?
500ml (.5L)
When are the expiratory muscles used?
During forced expiration only! Gentle expiration is passive.
What is the alveolar pressure at mid expiration?
+1 cm H2O
How do we calculate minute ventilation?
Tidal volume x breaths per minute
How do we calculate minute alveolar ventilation?
(Tidal volume - dead space) x breaths per minute
How do we calculate transpulmonary pressure?
Alveolar pressure - intrapleural pressure
How does air enter the lungs (Boyle’s Law)?
pressure and volume are inversely proportional
V1P1=V2P2
when there is an increase in lung volume, the pressure decreases and air enters
when there is a decrease in lung volume, pressure increases and air exits
(the pressure of the air outside the lungs is higher than the pressure inside the lungs when the volume is increased, so O2 rushes into the lungs moving from a high to low gradient)
How do the inspiratory muscles contract to allow for inspiration?
the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract to increase thoracic volume
these muscles are not directly in contact with the lungs but allow the chest wall to expand despite the lungs wanting to collapse
this interplay allows for inspiration (along with pressure/volume relationship)
Describe intrapleural pressure
(Ppl)
less than atm. (neg) -5 cm H2O at rest
basically the intrathoracic pressure everywhere in the thorax except the blood vessels/lymph and airways
What happens to the intrapleural pressure during quiet inspiration?
volume increases so Ppl decreases to -8 cm H2O
What happens to alveolar pressure as thoracic cavity increases in volume during quiet inspiration?
alveolar pressure decreases from 0 cm H2O (at rest) to -1 cm H2O
this is because the volume in alveoli increases
this pressure gradient allows air to flow into the lungs
What is transpulmonary pressure?
It is the pressure of the Palv-Ppl
Palv-alveolar pressure
Ppl-intrapleural pressure
transpulmonary pressure is -5cm H2O at rest
What would happen if transpulmonary pressure was 0?
pretty sure no gas exchange or air flow would occur because 0 cm H20 is equivalent to atm. pressure.
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