Control of Tidal Volume and Frequency Flashcards
What is the primary role for the cardiorespiratory system?
Support metabolism and promote homeostasis.
This support centres on tissue O2 delivery and CO2 removal which relies on gas exchange in the lungs.
What is dead space?
area or volume where gas exchange does not occur.
Where does gas exchange in the respiratory system work?
Gas exchange only works in the alveoli.
What are conducting zones?
Air is conducted through to the gas exchange regions.
(no alveoli) generations 0-16
What is the transitional and respiratory zone?
Gas exchange occurs in these regions. Throughout the transitional and into the respiratory zones, there is an increasing number of alveoli present.
What is anatomic dead space?
Areas where there is no alveoli (conducting zones) and therefore no gas exchange takes place.
Average volume about 150ml
What factors affect dead space volume?
Body size
Age
Head position
Drugs
What is the alveolar dead space?
0ml since gas exchange takes place as long as ventilation and perfusion takes place.
(temporary dead space may exist in disease states)
What is physiological dead space?
Anatomical and alveolar dead space added together.
What are methods for measuring physiological and anatomical dead space?
Physiological - Bohrs method
Anatomical - Fowler’s method
If these are not the same then it tells se that there is some alveolar dead space.
How does branching affect cross-sectional area?
Branching increases the cross-sectional area and thus surface area.
What affects velocity of gas in the respiratory system?
Diameter of the tubes down throughout the respiratory system. Smaller tubes decreases velocity
How do you calculate the total flow in the respiratory system?
Flow = Velocity x Area
What is the effect on velocity when increasing the cross-sectional area?
This causes the velocity to decrease and vice versa.
By generation 17 velocity is down to the speed of diffusion (has been decreased massively)
What is generation 17 in the respiratory system?
A transition point
Above generation 17 (0-16 which are found above), gas velocity is faster than diffusion and therefore there are no alveoli since the exchange mechanism in alveoli is diffusion. Therefore this means that it would be wasted to have alveoli in these areas. Once the velocity is slower, the alveoli can then function and exchange gas via diffusion.