Exam 3: Ch 16 Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
Respiration Encompasses 3 related functions:
- ventilation,
- gas exchange,
- 02 utilization (cellular respiration)
02 utilization (cellular respiration)
Ventilation = breathing;
Ventilation = breathing;
moves air in & out of lungs for gas exchange (which occurs via passive diffusion) with blood
external respiration)
gas exchange between air and blood in lungs =
internal respiration
Gas exchange between blood & tissues, & O2 use by tissues =
Air passes from
from mouth to pharynx to the trachea to right & left bronchi to bronchioles to terminal bronchioles to respiratory bronchioles to alveoli
Gas exchange occurs only in
- respiratory bronchioles & alveoli (= respiratory zone)
- All other structures constitute the conducting zone
Gas exchange occurs across the
- 300 million alveoli (60-80 m2 total surface area)
- Only 2 thin cells are between lung air & blood: 1 alveolar & 1 endothelial cell
Alveoli
- Are polyhedral in shape & clustered at ends of respiratory bronchioles, like units of honeycomb
- Air in 1 cluster can pass to others through pores
Conducting Zone
- Warms & humidifies inspired air
- Mucus lining filters & cleans inspired air
- Mucus moved by cilia to be expectorated
Thoracic Cavity is created by
the diaphragm, a dome-shaped sheet of skeletal muscle
Above the diaphram is
heart, large blood vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, & lungs
Below diaphragm is
abdominopelvic cavity; contains liver, pancreas, GI tract, spleen, & genitourinary tract
Intrapleural space is
is thin fluid layer between visceral pleura covering lungs & parietal pleura lining thoracic cavity walls
Ventilation results from
from pressure differences between the conducting zone and the terminal bronchioles induced by changes in lung volumes
Air moves from
higher to lower pressure
Compliance, elasticity, & surface tension of lungs influence
ease of ventilation
Boyle’s Law (P = 1/V)
States that changes in intrapulmonary pressure (pressure in alveoli and the rest of lungs) occur as a result of changes in lung volume
Pressure of gas is
- inversely proportional to volume
- Increase in lung volume decreases intrapulmonary pressure causing inspiration
- Decrease in lung volume raises intrapulmonary pressure causing expiration
Compliance
= how easily lung expands with pressure
Is reduced by factors that cause resistance to distension
Elasticity
Is tendency to return to initial size after distension
Elasticity is due to
high content of elastin proteins that resist distention
Elastic tension increases
during inspiration & is reduced by recoil during expiration
Surface Tension (ST)
created by intermolecular forces within fluid molecules that attract molecules to each other
ST and elasticity are forces that promote
alveolar collapse & resist distension
Lungs secrete & absorb fluid
- normally leaving a thin film of fluid on alveolar surface
- This film causes ST because H20 molecules are attracted to other H20 molecules; force of ST is directed inward, raising pressure in alveoli
Fluid absorption occurs by
- osmosis
driven by Na+ active transport
Fluid secretion is driven by
active transport of Cl- out of alveolar epithelial cells
Surfactant
Consists of phospholipids secreted by alveolar cells
Surfactant Lower ST by
by getting between H20 molecules, reducing their ability to attract each other via hydrogen bonding
Surfactant Prevents ST from
collapsing alveoli
Surfactant secretion begins
in late fetal life
Premies are often born with
- immature surfactant system (= Respiratory Distress Syndrome or RDS) and
have trouble inflating lungs
In adults, septic shock
- (↓ BP due to widespread vasodilation) may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which decreases compliance & surfactant secretion
Pulmonary ventilation consists of
inspiration (= inhalation) & expiration (= exhalation)
Pulmonary ventilation Accomplished by
alternately increasing & decreasing volumes of thorax & lungs
Inspiration occurs mainly because
diaphragm contracts, increasing thoracic volume vertically
Q: If volume ↑ what happens to pressure?
decreases
Parasternal & external intercostal contraction
contributes a little by raising ribs, increasing thoracic volume laterally
Expiration is due to
passive recoil
Deep Breathing:
Inspiration involves
contraction of extra muscles to elevate ribs: scalenes, pectoralis minor, & sternocleidomastoid muscles
Deep Breathing:
Expiration involves
contraction of internal intercostals & abdominal muscles
Pulmonary Function Tests Assessed clinically by
spirometry, a method that measures volumes of air moved during inspiration & expiration
Anatomical dead space is
is air in conducting zone where no gas exchange occurs
Tidal volume
amount of air expired/breath in quiet breathing
Vital capacity is
amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a maximum inhalation