Lung Mechanics Flashcards
What is the work of breathing deterimined by
lungs
Thoracic compliance
Airway resistance
What is compliance
Ease with which lungs can be expanded
What is embedded in elastic tissue
Lungs
Airway tree
Vascular tree
What is trans-pulmonary pressure
P difference between alveoli and pulmonary wall
If lungs are easy to inflate, what sort of compliance do they have
Increased compliance
Formula for compliance
Change in vol/change in P
Transpulmonary pressure difference from apex to base
APEX = -10
MIDDLE = -5
BASE = -2.5
-ve P is the suction that keeps the lungs open
- Where is there greater alveolar volume
- Where is there greater alveolar ventilation
- Apex
- Base
Which part of the lung is most compliant
Base of lung
Smaller alveoli at base => easier to expand alveoli at base
What does lung compliance depend on
- Distensibility - easy to stretch/deflate - ELASTIN
- Elasticity - w/o it, lungs would enlarge with every breath and compliance would be 0 - COLLAGEN
- Surface tension
Consequence of decreased compliance
Increased stiffness, increased work to inflate lungs
Background of pneumonia
Fluid in lung tissue, alters surface tension of alveoli, changes surfactant and makes it more difficult to control lungs
conditions affected by compliance
Fibrosis
COPD
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Factors that influence compliance
- Posture
- Age
- Post-laproscopic surgery
- Occasional deep breaths
- Pregnancy
- High standing diaphragm - obesity, scoliosis
- Lung disease
- Pneumothorax - trauma, diving, underlying lung pathologies
DECREASED COMPLIANCE WHEN:
Lung is unventilated for long period, increased surface tension within alveoli, lungs engorged with blood (increase pulmonary venous pressure)
High or low compliance with EMPHYSEMA
HIGH CL