Alveoli Flashcards
What is the primary site of gas exchange?
Alveoli
What are alveoli?
They are small outpockets which greatly increase the surface area for gas exchange
What is a lung lobule?
A cluster of alveoli supplied by a single respiratory bronchiole surrounded by the connective tissue of the lung
What are some characteristics of the alveoli?
They have extremely thin walls (only one cell thick) with basement membranes fused to the endothelium of the capillaries that surround them
What is the apical surface the alveoli’s covered in?
Surfactant
What is emphysema?
A condition associated with smoking. It is caused by gradual damage to the alveoli by irritants or infection which causes them to lose their natural elasticity
What happens if alveoli lose their natural elasticity?
Lungs are unable to expel all the air on expiration and leaves them over inflated and the patient struggles to force air in and out of their lungs
What does reduced ventilation in the lungs cause?
Chronic hypoxia causing fatigue and weight loss
What is emphysema often associated with?
Chronic bronchitis where the lungs are able to clear mucus
What is the combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis called?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Is there a cure for emphysema?
No but it can be controlled with bronchodilators
What is a common chronic airway disease?
Asthma
What does asthma do?
Difficulty breathing as the conducting airways become restricted as the diameter reduces
What type of disease is asthma?
An immunological disease, caused by the immune system over reacting to an antigen that would normally be overlooked
What is an inducer in asthma?
The original antigen that elicited an immune response
