lung physiology 4 Flashcards
what are the primary respiratory muscles (2)
diaphragm
intercostal muscles
describe involuntary control of breathing
1.diaphragm and intercostal muscles are stimulated
- by groups of neurones in the pons and medulla
- these neurons form the respiratory control centre
- they send impulses to the primary respiratory muscles via the phrenic and intercostal nerves
- stimulates contraction of respiratory muscles
- once the neurons stop firing, the inspiratory muscles relax and expiration occurs.
what are the three main groups of neurons involved in medullar respiration
- ventral respiratory group
- dorsal respiratory group
- pontine respiratory group
what does the ventral respiratory group control
expiration
what does the dorsal respiratory group control
inspiration
what does the pontine respiratory group control
the rate and pattern of breathing
how is voluntary respiration controlled
via the motor cortex in the cerebrum, which receives inputs from the limbic system and hypothalamus.
signals are thought to be sent to the spinal cord from the motor cortex, which are then passed onto the respiratory muscles
what is phrenic nerve paralysis
where damage to the phrenic nerve results in its dysfunction.
can cause paralysis of the diaphragm, therefore causing breathing problems.
what are the 2 types of chemoreceptors
peripheral
central
where are peripheral chemoreceptors
located in both the carotid body and the aortic body
what do peripheral chemoreceptors detect
large changes in the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) as the arterial blood supply leaves the heart
innervation of peripheral chemoreceptors
glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves
what happens when peripheral chemoreceptors detect low oxygen
afferent impulses travel via the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves to the medulla oblongata and the pons in the brainstem.
a number of responses are then coordinated which aim to restore pO2.
responses to restore partial pressue of oxygen (3)
- respiratory rate and tidal volume are increased - to allow more oxygen to enter the lungs and subsequently diffuse into the blood
- blood flow is directed towards the kidneys and the brain - as these organs are the most sensitive to hypoxia
- cardiac output is increased to maintain blood flow - and therefore oxygen supply to the body’s tissues
where are central chemoreceptors located
in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem
what do central chemoreceptors detect changes in
the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2).
what do central chemoreceptors do when they detect changes
they send impulses to the respiratory centres in the brainstem that initiate changes in ventilation to restore normal pCO
what happens when central chemoreceptors detect an increase in pCO2
- leads to an increase in ventilation
- more CO2 is exhaled
- the pCO2 decreases and returns to normal.
what happens when central chemoreceptors detect a decrease in pCO2
- leads to a decrease in ventilation
- less CO2 is retained in the lungs
- the pCO2 increases and returns to normal.
how much of respiratory control is controlled by central chemoreceptors
60%
how do central chemoreceptors detect changes in arterial pCO2
by changes in the pH of the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)
what are baroreceptors
sense arterial pressure