Chapter 22 - respiratory system pt2 Flashcards
What are the 2 phases in pulmonary ventilation?
- inspiration (air in)
- expiration (air out)
What is atmospheric pressure (Patm)?
- pressure exerted by air (gases) surrounding the body
- at sea level, Patm=760 mmHg or 1 atmosphere
what is the difference between positive, negative and neutral respiratory pressure?
(+) - respiratory pressure greater than Patm
(-) - respiratory pressure less than Patm (ex. -4mmHg=756 mmHg)
(+/-) - respiratory pressure is equal to Patm
What is intrapulmonary pressure (Ppul)/ intra-alveolar?
pressure in the alveoli
- fluctuates during breathing, but equalizes with Patm to end each phases of breathing - inspiration and expiration
What is the intrapleural pressure (Pip) and why is it always negative?
the pressure in pleural cavity
- fluctuates with breating, but always negative (<Patm) - 4mmHg less than Ppul
- opposing force try to pull visceral and parietal pleurae apart
What is the importance of the surface tension of the alveolar fluid?
attraction between water draws alveolar walls inwards, acting to shrink alveoli to smallest size possible
What way does the chest walls pull the thoracic wall (parietal pleura)?
outward
Intrapelural pressure - What is the function of surface tension of pleural fluid and how is it removed?
helps secure layers of pleura together
- fluid level must be kept at a minimum, excess removed by lymphatic system
- if fluid builds, Pip pressure is positive
What is transpulmonary pressure?
the difference between intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressure (Ppul-Pip)
- this pressure keeps lungs from collapsing
- size of lung is determined by transpulmonary pressure
What will happen if the transpulmonary pressure equalizes and why is it important to keep the Pip negative?
- the lung will collapse
- to keep he lungs inflated
What does the volume change in the lungs affect?
leads to pressure change, and pressure changes lead to the flow of gases to equalize the pressure
What is Boyle’s law, how does it affect air flow in the lungs, and what is the equation?
relationship between pressure and volume of a gas
- high pressure = air moves out
- low pressure = air moves in
- P1V1=P2V2
How does normal quiet inspiration affect lung volume and air flow?
thoracic volume increases by 500ml
1. Ppul decreases to -1mmHg (Ppul<Patm)
2. Until Ppul = Patm
3. Pip falls to -6mmHg
What are the 5 steps to inhalation?
- inspiratory muscles contract
- the thoracic cavity volume increases
- the lugs stretch, increasing the intrapulmonary volume
- intrapulmonary pressure drops
- air flows into lungs, down the pressure gradient
what is expiration during quiet expiration (a passive process)?
inspiratory muscles relax and thoracic cavity volume decreases (-500ml) as the lungs recoil
- air flows out until Ppul=Patm
What is forced expiration (active process)?
abdominal wall muscles to increase intra-abdominal pressure (diaphragm up) and pulls the ribs in (depression)
- internal intercoastal muscles to assist in depression
What is nonpreparatory air movement?
other processes move air into or out of lungs, altering respiratory rhythm
- voluntary or reflexive (like sneezing/ hiccup)
What are the 5 steps of breathing out?
- inspiratory muscles relax
- the thoracic cavity volume decreases
- the elastic lungs recoil passively, decreasing the intrapulmonary volume
- intrapulmonary pressure rises
- air flows out
What muscles are involved in the inspiration process?
diaphragm and external intercostals.
How does the diaphragm contribute to inspiration?
increases the height of the thoracic cavity, thus increasing its volume. It moves inferiorly and flattens out as it contracts.
What role do the intercostal muscles play during inspiration?
increase the diameter of the thorax, thus increasing its volume.
How do the intercostal muscles affect the ribs during inspiration?
pull the ribs up and out, similar to raising a bucket handle.
What causes airway resistance and what is the equation of flow (F)?
- friction
- flow (F) is proportional to the difference in pressures (Ppul-Patm) or pressure gradient (delta P)
- F= delta P/ R (resistance)
What is delta P during normal quiet breathing?
1-2 mmHg
What are the 2 reasons resistance in respiratory tree insignificant?
- conducting zone airways have huge diameters (relative to low air viscosity)
- all the bronchioles running in parallel
Where is the greatest resistance in the lungs?
medium-sized bronchi
What is the pressure difference between inhalation and expiration?
I - (-) in order to pull air in
E - (+) in order to push air out
What is the purpose of measuring pulmonary volumes?
to assess respiratory status.
- these volumes are combined to measure pulmonary capacities.
Why are pulmonary volumes often abnormal in people with pulmonary disorders?
these conditions can affect lung function and air exchange
What is a spirometer, and how is it used?
a clinical tool originally used to measure pulmonary volumes
What are pulmonary (lung) capacities and how many are there?
- are combinations of two or more lung volumes
- four main ones
What is Inspiratory Capacity (IC)?
the amount of air that can be inspired after a normal tidal expiration
- the sum of tidal volume (TV) and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)
- IC=TV+IRV
What is Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)?
the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a normal tidal expiration
- the sum of residual volume (RV) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV)
- FRC = RV+ERV
What is Vital Capacity (VC)?
- total amount of exchangeable air
- VC= TV+IRV+ERV
What is Total Lung Capacity (TLC)?
sum of all lung volumes
- TLC = TV+IRV+ERV+RV