control of ventilation Flashcards

1
Q

explain how respiratory motor movements are affected by the central nervous system

A

Inspiration
→ occurs via the phrenic (to diaphragm) and intercostal nerves (to external intercostal muscles)

Expiration
→ At rest, expiration is passive so no neural input is required

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

explain why ventilatory control depends entirely on signalling from the brain (somatic motor neuron input):

A

severing the spinal cord above the origin of the phrenic nerve (C3-5), breathing ceases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe the location of the two types of chemoreceptors that modulate respiratory centres

also identify the stimuli which activate them:

A

[1] Central Chemoreceptors

  • medulla
  • respond directly to H+ (directly reflects PCO2)
  • primary ventilatory drive

[2] Peripheral Chemoreceptors

  • carotid and aortic bodies
  • respond primarily to PO2 (less so to PCO2) and plasma [H+]
  • secondary ventilatory drive
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

List 4 factors involved in changing ‘respiratory drive’ i.e., the rate and depth of breathing:

A
  1. Emotion (via the limbic system in the brain)
    → scared, laughing, crying
  2. Voluntary over-ride (via higher centres in the brain)
  3. Mechano-sensory input from the thorax (e.g. stretch reflex).
  4. Chemical composition of the blood (PCO2, PO2 and pH) – detected by chemoreceptors.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How do individuals with chronic lung disease (desensitised to PCO2) stimulate ventilation?

A

They rely on changes in PaO2 to stimulate ventilation through peripheral chemoreceptors

→ Hypoxic Drive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Explain the negative feedback loop that occurs when PCO2 increases in the CSF:

A

cerebrospinal fluid [H+] goes up

the central chemoreceptors stimulate the respiratory centres to increase ventilation.

PCO2 decreases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the effect of Barbiturates and Opioids on respiratory centres:

A

depresses respiratory centres

overdose -> respiratory failure -> death

↓ Sensitivity to pH and therefore response to PCO2 (in regards to changes in H+)

↓ PO2 in response to ↓ Peripheral chemoreceptor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Explain how Peripheral Chemoreceptors become important during hypoxia and acid-base imbalance:

A

if plasma pH falls ([H+] increases)
-> Increased ventilation (metabolic acidosis)

if plasma pH increases ([H+] falls) e.g. vomiting
-> inhibited ventilation (metabolic alkalosis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Explain how CO2 affects acid-base balance e.g. hypo/hyperventilation:

A

↑ CO2 in the case of Hypoventilation
-> increased [H+] bringing about respiratory acidosis.

↓ CO2 in case of Hyperventilation
-> decreased [H+] bringing about respiratory alkalosis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Explain situations where we cannot override involuntary stimuli voluntarily such as PCO2 or [H+]:

A

Breath-holding
-> passing out due to low levels of O2 and then the brain stem takes control of breathing

Hyperventilation for 30 seconds
-> inhibition of ventilation due to an increase in arterial PO2 or a decrease in arterial PCO2/[H+]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why does increasing PCO2 in a chamber cause unpleasant and distressing feelings to the subject?

A

If unable to get rid of CO2
-> distress

breathing in CO2
-> increases PACO2 and thus impairs the partial pressure gradient that normally allows CO2 removal from the pulmonary artery.

CO2 remains in the blood
-> partial pressure gradient at the periphery that pulls CO2 out of cells is also lost
causing CO2 to build up in cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the major determinant of the degree to which haemoglobin binds (is saturated with) oxygen?

A

partial pressure of oxygen in the blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Ventilatory control is subconscious (autonomous) and involves areas in the pons and medulla, but it can also be voluntary.

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what are the 2 nerve groups in the respiratory centres?

A

[1] Dorsal Respiratory Group of neurons (DRG)

→ Stimulation of inspiratory muscles (diaphragm, external intercostals)

[2] Ventral Respiratory Group of neurons (VRG)

→ Stimulation of tongue, pharynx, larynx, expiratory muscles

→ Maintains a basal tone of contraction to prevent collapse of airways & allows smooth, controlled expiration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly