Lung function Flashcards
What are the normal conditions for air moving into the lung at rest?
PO2= 100±2 mm Hg, PCO2 = 40±2 mm Hg Ventilation: ~6 L/min (~12 breaths/min, 500 ml/breath) Gas exchange: ~ 250 ml/min O2 consumed ~200 ml/min CO2 expired.
When does ventilation increase?
During exercise to maintain blood gas homeostasis
What is the function of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses in moving air into lungs?
Filter, humidify air and detect smells
What is the function of the pharynx in moving air into the lungs?
Conducts air to larynx; a chamber shared with the digestive tract
What is the function of the larynx in moving air into the lungs?
Protects opening to trachea and contains vocal cords
What is the function of the trachea in moving air into the lungs?
Filters air, traps particles in mucus
What is the function of the bronchi in moving air into lungs?
Same functions as trachea
What is the lungs function in moving air into the lungs?
Responsible for air movement through volume changes during movements of ribs and diaphragm; include airways and alveoli
What is the function of the alveoli in moving air into lungs?
Act as sites of gas exchange between air and blood
Briefly describe diaphragm
Major inspiratory, dome-shaped skeletal muscle active during more strenuous breathing
Briefly describe Quiet Breathing
Inspiration- active , diaphragm contracts downwards pushing abdominal contents outwards
Expiration- Passive, elastic recoil
Briefly describe Strenuous breathing
Inspiration- Active, greater contraction of diaphragm and external intercostals
Expiration- Active, abdominal muscles, internal intercostals muscles oppose external intercostals by pushing ribs down and inwards
Describe the pressure and volume changes from inspiration to expiration
- Beginning of inspiration PA=0 (pressure in lung) because no flow.
- Inspiratory muscles contract (diaphragm contracts)
- Thorax expands (upper chest wall extracts, lungs pulled outwards, pressure becomes more negative)
- Pleural pressure becomes more negative.
- Increase in transpulmonary pressure (difference between lung and pleural pressure, lung negative, air outside positive so air flows into lung)
- Lungs expand.
- PA becomes negative.
- Air flows into alveoli.
- Beginning of expiration (stop expanding thorax)
- Muscles stop contracting.
- Chest wall moves inwards.
- Ppl & PL return to pre-inspiration values.
- Lungs recoil (elastic recoil pressure).
- Air in alveoli compressed.
- PA becomes greater than atmospheric pressure.
- Air flows out of lungs.
What are the major functions of the upper airways?
Humidify (saturate with water)
Warm (to body temp)
Filter- upper airways to bronchioles lined by pseudostratified (one layer) , ciliated columnar epithelium
What happens to inhaled particles
Stick to mucus, mucus moved towards mouth by beating cilia
What is the respiratory tree?
Airways that branch to bronchioles until terminating in a group of alveoli
What occurs with each division of the respiratory tree?
Increase in number, a decrease in diameter and an increase in surface area
With each division lumen becomes smaller, but more tubes are added on
What do conducting airways do?
Do not participate in gas exchange
Form anatomic dead space
What do Respiratory airways do?
Bronchioles with alveoli, where gas exchange occurs ( from terminal bronchioles to alveoli)
What is a respiratory unit?
Gas exchange unit, basic physiological uni of the lung consisting of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli
How many alveolar sacs are in an adult?
300-400 million
What shape and diameter are alveoli?
Polygonal in shape, roughly 250 micrometers in diameter
What cells make up alveoli?
Type 1 and type 2 epithelial cells
What innervate alveoli?
Blood vessels, this is important for gas exchange
