Lecture 57 - Control of Respiration Flashcards
What organisms do we study to learn about respiratory control?
Brain damaged patients
Animals
Imaging techniques
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
Gas exchange (primary function)
Immune function
Reservoir for blood
What are the components of the respiratory system?
Lungs
Airways
Respiratory muscles
What are the groups of respiratory muscles?
Inspiration
Expiration
Accessory (not normally engaged)
What are the branches of control of the respiratory system?
1/ Chemical (pH, CO2, O2)
2/ Neural
controls muscle
Describe the path of oxygen
- Inhaled through airways down into alveoli
- Moves into blood at the alveoli
- Transport in blood back to heart, then pumped to the rest of the body
- Transport into target cells for cellular respiration
Why do we need control of the respiratory system?
- Coordination
- Adaption to give constant level
- Adaption to increase supply when necessary
What is the pH of the blood?
7.4
Describe pressure of oxygen in the arteries and veins
Arteries: 95 mmHg
Veins: 40
Describe pressure of CO2 in the arteries and veins
Arteries: 40
Veins: 46
What are the muscles of inspiration?
- Diaphragm
- External intercostals
Accessory:
- Sternocleido-mastoids
- Scalenes
- Alae nasi
What is the nerve supply of the diaphragm?
Phrenic nerves
What is the nerve supply of the intercostals?
Intercostal nerves
Describe expiration during quiet breathing
Passive
Describe how expiration occurs
Elastic recoil of inspiratory muscles and lung tissue
Some motor neuron activity: keeps intercostals contracted to keep flow slow and smooth
What happens during forced expiration?
Active process
Accessory muscles
What is happening during obstructive sleep apnoea
Cause:
Abnormal airway anatomy or obesity
When they sleep, they obstruct their airway
Hypoxia
Hypercapnia
Hypersomnolence
Treatment:
Use a mask that provides positive airway pressure
Which areas in the brain are involved in respiration?
Brain stem:
1/ Pons
2/ Medulla oblongata
Where are the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups?
Medulla oblongata
Describe the function of DRG?
Supplies muscles of inspiration
(diaphragm and intercostals)
Phrenic nerve and intercostal nerves
What is the function of the VRG?
- Rhythmic pattern of breathing
- Active expiration
- Forced inspiration
How long does inspiration take?
2 seconds
Shorter than expiration