Chapter 16: Respiratory Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Functions of Respiratory System

A
  1. Ventilation (breathing)
  2. Gas exchange
  3. O2 utilization and CO2 production (cellular respiration)
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2
Q

Ventilation (breathing)

A

To move air into and out of respiratory system

-Exchange between atmosphere and lung

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3
Q

Two Types of gas exchange

A
  1. External Respiration
  2. Internal Respiration
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4
Q

External Respiration

A

gas exchange between lung and blood.

-between air and capillaries in the lungs

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5
Q

Internal Respiration

A

Gas exchange between blood and cells

-between systemic capillaries and tissues of the body

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6
Q

______ Respiration is gas exchange between air and capillaries in the lungs

______ Respiration is gas exchange between systemic capillaries and tissues of the body.

A
  1. External
  2. Internal
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7
Q

Diffusion in gas exchanges is generated by ____________.

A

Pressure gradients

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8
Q

Cellular Respiration

A

O2 utilization and CO2 production

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9
Q

Two Airways Passages (Zones)

A
  1. Conducting Zone
  2. Respiratory Zone
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10
Q

Conducting Zone

A

Includes pulmonary structures outside and inside the lungs.

Outside of the Lungs: Nasal Passages -> Pharynx -> Epiglottis -> larynx (glottis)

Inside the lungs: Trachea -> Bronchus (2 branches) -> Bronchiole -> Terminal Bronchiole

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11
Q

Respiratory Zone

A

Respiratory Bronchiole -> Alveolar ducts -> alveolar sacs

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12
Q

What happens to individual airway diameter and length as you go deeper into the lungs? What happens to Collective cross sectional area?

A

As you go deeper into the lungs, the airways
-diameter decreases
-length decreases
-collective cross-sectional area increases (there are more branches)

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13
Q

Functions of Conducting Zone

A
  1. Passage of air
    2.Warming
  2. Humidification
  3. Filtration
  4. Immune surveillance
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14
Q

What is the source of water vapor in the conducting zone?

A

The moist lining of passageways due to presence of mucus secreting goblet cells.

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15
Q

Role of Mucociliary Apparatus in removal of particulates

A

Removes dust from airways

-combines mucus production with movement of cilia -> trap and transport particles out of respiratory tract

-coordinated beating of the cilia propels the mucus layer, along with trapped particles and microorganisms, towards the throat.

-vital defense mechanism that maintains the cleanliness and health of the respiratory tract.
-reduces the risk of respiratory infections, protects the lung tissues, and ensures the proper functioning of the respiratory system.

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16
Q

Functions of Respiratory Zone

A
  1. Passage of Air
  2. Gas exchange
  3. Immune Surveillance
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17
Q

Gas exchange in the lungs

  1. Oxygenated blood is transported by branches of pulmonary ____ from ____ to ______.
  2. Deoxygenated blood is transported by branches of pulmonary ______ from _____ to _____.
A

Oxygenated blood: pulmonary veins from alveoli in lungs to heart

Deoxygenated blood: pulmonary arteries from heart to alveoli in lungs

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18
Q

Gas exchange in lungs

A

Deoxygenated blood enters the lungs via pulmonary artery and travels to the alveoli where CO2 exits the blood stream and enters the alveoli. CO2 is exchanged for oxygen which enters the blood stream and travels from the lungs to the heart.

-Deoxygenated blood/CO2 rich enters lungs
-Co2 out of blood; into alveoli
-O2 out of alveoli; into blood
-Oxygen rich blood exits lungs and travels to heart

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19
Q

_______ are active site of gas exchange

A

alveoli

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20
Q

Total # of alveoli

A

~300 x 10 ^6

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21
Q

Diameter of Alveoli

A

0.25-0.5 mm

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22
Q

Total area of all Alveoli

A

60-80 m^2

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23
Q

Alveolar wall consists of 2 types of alveolar cells

A

Type 1

Type 2

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24
Q

Which type of alveolar cells is more abundant? What % of surface area does it contribute to?

A

Type 1 alveolar cells

-Major lining cells
-95-97% of total surface area

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25
Q

Function of Type 2 alveolar Cells
-What % of surface area does it contribute to?

A

Produce surfactants (mixture of liquid that lubricates lining and decreases surface tension of alveoli)-prevents them from collapsing during exhale

-3-5%

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26
Q

What is the width of the air-blood barrier?

A

~0.3 micrometers

Air-blood barrier is thin space that separates the air in alveolar space from the pulmonary capillaries.

It is VERY thin to allow exchange of gases between air and blood.

-alveolar epithelium (type 1 alveolar cells) lines alveolar
-basement membrane- connective tissue
-endothelium- cells that line wall of pulmonary capillaries

Designed to minimize the diffusion distance between the alveolar air and the bloodstream, allowing for rapid and efficient gas exchange.

27
Q

Layers of respiratory membrane from Alveoli -> Capillary

A
  1. Fluid layer with surfactant (type II cells)
  2. Type I alveolar cell membrane
  3. Interstitial space (basement membrane)
  4. Capillary endothelial cell membrane
28
Q

CO2 __ alveolus; O2 ___ alveolus

A

CO2 in; O2 out

29
Q

Thoracic Cavity

A

“Chest Cavity”- between neck and abdomen

-enclosed by ribcage and respiratory muscles

30
Q

Pleural (intra-pleural) Space

A

Thin fluid layer between two layers of pleura

Pleura is a thin membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity.

Visceral Pleural = covers lungs
Parietal pleura = lines chest wall and diagphram

  • allows the lungs to expand and contract during breathing
31
Q

Visceral pleural lines

A

lungs

32
Q

Parietal pleura lines

A

thoracic cavity

33
Q

Pleural space is ____ free; _____ space.

A

Air-free : no air is present in this space. It is filled with small amount of fluid to lubricate the sliding between the two layers during breathing.

Potential space

34
Q

Lungs cling to the inside of the ______.

A

Thorax

the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs, adheres to the inner surface of the chest wall and the diaphragm. The pleural fluid in the pleural space helps the lungs stick to the inside of the thoracic cavity, creating a close contact that allows for efficient transfer of forces during breathing.

35
Q

Diaphragm is the muscle between ____ and _____ cavitities

A

thoracic and abdominal

36
Q

Quiet inspiration is a ______ process

Quiet expiration is a _______ process

Forces expiration is a ________ process

A

Quiet Inspiration: Active

Quiet expiration: Passive

Forced expiration: Active

37
Q

Explain the active process of Quiet inspiration

A
  1. Contraction of diaphragm (pulls downwards); this increases the volume in the thoracic cavity VERTICALLY to fill with inhaled air
  2. Contraction of parasternal and external intercostals (muscles in between ribs); raises the ribs upwards and out; this increases the volume in the thoracic cavity LATERALLY/HORIZONTALLY
38
Q

During quiet inspiration contraction of what muscle increases the thoracic volume vertically?

A

Diaphragm

39
Q

During quiet inspiration, contraction of which muscles increases the thoracic volume laterally/horizontally?

A

Contraction of parasternal and intercostal muscles

40
Q

During quiet expiration what happens

A

Its a passive process

Relaxation of inspiratory muscles
-relaxation of diaphragm (moves up) - decreases volume in thoracic cavity vertically
-relaxation of parasternal and intercostal muscles (moves down and in) - decreases thoracic volume laterally/horizontally

41
Q

Explain forced expiration

A

This is an active process assisted by abdominal muscles
-in addition to relaxation of diaphragm and parasternal and intercostals; ABDOMINAL MUSCLES CONTRACT

42
Q

Boyles Law

A

Volume and pressure are inversely related:

-As volume increases, pressure decreases.

-As volume decreases, pressure increases.

At a constant temperature, P1V1 = P2V2

Helps explain how changes in the volume of the thoracic cavity affect the pressure within the lungs, leading to the process of inhalation and exhalation.

43
Q

Explain Boyles Law in Inhalation

A

During inhalation the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, while the pressure decreases.

This decrease in pressure creates a pressure gradient, causing air to flow from an area of higher pressure (atmosphere) to an area of lower pressure (inside the lungs), allowing for inhalation.

44
Q

Explain Boyles Law in Exhalation

A

During Exhalation, the respiratory muscles relax decreasing the volume in the thoracic cavity. As a result the pressure inside the lungs increases and creates a pressure gradient moving the air out of the lungs and into the atmosphere.

45
Q

Pressure gradients for respiration using partial pressures of O2

A

The partial pressure of O2 is greatest in the oxygen rich alveolar space and lower in the bloodstream. This gradient causes oxygen to diffuse from the alveoli into the bloodstream.

Alveolar space > blood plasma > interstitial fluid > cytosol > mitochondria

The oxygen partial pressure gradually decreases as it moves through the bloodstream, interstitial fluid, and cytosol before reaching the mitochondria, where it is utilized for energy production.

46
Q

Progression of CO2 partial pressure from greatest to lowest

A

Mitochondria (CO2 is byproduct of cellular respiration) > Cytosol > Interstitial fluid > Blood Plasma > Alveoli

The partial pressure of CO2 gradually decreases as it moves from the tissues to the bloodstream, and from the blood plasma to the alveoli. This gradient allows for the efficient elimination of carbon dioxide from the body during exhalation.

47
Q

where is the partial pressure of CO2 the highest? Lowest?

A

Highest in the tissues and cells where it is produced as a waste product of cellular metabolism. During cellular respiration, carbon dioxide is generated in the mitochondria as a result of the breakdown of glucose and other fuels. Therefore, the highest partial pressure of CO2 is typically found within the mitochondria and the cytosol of cells.

lowest partial pressure of CO2 is in the alveoli of the lungs, where gas exchange occurs during respiration. When blood reaches the alveoli, carbon dioxide diffuses across the respiratory membrane into the alveolar space, where it mixes with the air that will be exhaled. In the alveoli, the concentration of CO2 is relatively low compared to the tissues

48
Q

Atmospheric Pressure

A

760 mm Hg

49
Q

Alveolar (intrapulmonary) pressure
At rest, During inspiration, During expiration

A

At rest: 760 mmHg
During inspiration: 758 mmHg
During expiration: 763 mmHg

50
Q

Pleural (intrapleural) pressure
At rest, During inspiration, During expiration

A

At rest: 756 mmHg
During inspiration: 754 mmHg
During expiration: 756 mmHg

51
Q

Natural properties of Lungs & Chest Wall

A
  1. Lung can be viewed as a passive, elastic container.
    2.The “pleural space” contains only a film of fluid, so lungs normally remain in contact with the chest walls
  2. The lung tends to recoil inward and the chest wall outward
  3. These recoil forces in opposite directions create a negative (sub-atmopsheric) pleural pressure: -3 to -4 mm Hg relative to atmospheric and alveolar pressures
52
Q

Elastic recoil of the chest wall tries to pull the chest wall ________.

A

Outward

53
Q

Elastic recoil of the lung creates an _______ pull.

A

inward

54
Q

Due to recoil forces of the chest wall and lungs going in opposite direction creates a ______, _________ pleural pressure. What is the mmHg relative to atmospheric and alveolar pressures?

A

negative, sub-atmospheric

-3 to -4 mm Hg

55
Q

What happens if the pleural space is disrupted by air or fluid?

A
  1. Pneumothorax- air enters pleural space, resulting in the loss of negative pressure -> lung collapses
  2. Pleural effusion: fluid accumulates in pleural space, putting more pressure on the lungs, and makes it harder for the lungs to expand

presence of air or fluid in the pleural space interferes with the normal function of the lungs, making it harder for them to expand and exchange oxygen properly

56
Q

_______ separates each side of the thorax

A

Mediastinum

57
Q

What two things lead to the lost of relative negative pressure and lead to the collapse of lung lobes?

A

Air (pneumothorax) or fluid (hydrothorax)

58
Q

Pleural pressure is ALWAYS _______ than atmospheric and alveolar pressure

A

Lower

59
Q

Trans-pulmonary pressure

A

is the change in pressure across the wall of the lung

The formula for trans-pulmonary pressure is:

P = Alveolar P - Pleural P

always positive because the alveolar pressure is higher than the pleural pressure in a healthy lung. This positive pressure helps to keep the lungs inflated and prevents them from collapsing.

During inhalation, there is a decrease in pleural pressure and slight decrease in alveolar pressure; As a result, the trans-pulmonary pressure increases because the difference between the alveolar pressure and pleural pressure becomes larger

During exhalation, the diaphragm and respiratory muscles relax, and the thoracic cavity decreases in volume. This leads to an increase in pleural pressure and a decrease in the trans-pulmonary pressure as the difference between the alveolar pressure and pleural pressure becomes smaller.

60
Q

Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio

A

the amount of ventilation (airflow) and perfusion (blood flow) in the lungs.

It compares the amount of air reaching the alveoli (ventilation) to the amount of blood flowing through the pulmonary capillaries (perfusion) in a given amount of time.

In healthy lungs, V/Q ratio is ideally matched; its typically 0.8 meaning there is slightly more ventilation that perfusion.

61
Q

How does ventilation differ from gas exchange and what are the 3 different types of respiration?

A

Ventilation is movement of air in and out of lungs. This includes inspiration and expiration. Exchange of gas between atmosphere and lungs.

Gas exchange is transfer of gases (O2 and CO2) from alveoli, blood, and tissues.

  1. External respiration: gas exchange between bloodstream and alveoli in lungs.
  2. Internal respiration: gas exchange between blood and tissues.
  3. Cellular respiration: occurs within the mitochondria of cells. Utilizes O2 to produce CO2 and ATP.
62
Q

What is the sequence of the airways from trachea to alveoli

A

Trachea -> Main bronchi -> Bronchial tree (bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles) -> respiratory bronchioles -> alveolar ducts -> alveoli

63
Q

What are the corresponding trends in diameter, length, number, total cross-sectional area from trachea to alveoli?

A