module 3: respiratory physiology Flashcards
o2 is necessary for production of cellular energy which takes the form of…
ATP, which creates Co2 that must be expelled from the cells
(this is known as internal respiration)
external respiration 4 steps
- ventilation: air is moved in and out of the lungs
- exchange of o2 and co2 between air and blood
- transport of o2 and co2
- exchange of o2 and co2 between blood and tissues
what does the upper airway include
nose, nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx
the larynx is the location of the
vocal cords
what does the lower airway include
trachea, left and right bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
what is convective flow
requires energy in the form of muscle contraction to maintain air flow
what is diffusive flow
occurs passively to allow air to flow into the alveoli
where does the diffusive zone begin?
level of the respiratory bronchioles
what are the main inspiratory muscles
the diaphragm, and the external intercostal muscles
during inspiration diaphragm descends to enlarge the thoracic cavity. contraction of the external intercostal muscles elevates the ribs to further enlarge the thoracic cavity.
what are the main expiratory muscles
internal intercostal muscles, and the abdominal muscles (generally inactive, but get recruited in ventilator demand)
what is the pleural space (pleura)
covers the lung, and the inside wall of the thorax is lined by the parietal pleura
between these 2 membranes is the pleural space, which is relatively small and filled w fluid, the pleural fluid. this fluid allows the membranes to rub against each other during breathing w reduced friction.
2 processes for external respiration (the 4 steps broken down even further)
- ability of the resp muscles to generate the necessary pressure gradient to move air through the airways (overcoming the resistance to flow) and to inflate the lungs
- the ability of oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse across the alveolar-capillary barrier
what is the eqtn for external respiration
change in pressure / resistance = flow (or diffusion)
why is the pressure gradient important in respiratory mechanics
pressure gradient is drives the force of air flow
if this pressure gradient is used to overcome the elastance, or stiffness, of the respiratory system, the resistance to flow, and the inertia of the system
for air to flow out of the alveoli, the pressure in the alveoli must be _______ than the pressure in the nose
greater
what is atmospheric pressure (Pa)
- aka barometric pressure
- pressure exerted by the weight of the air in the atmosphere on the Earth’s surface
- @ sea level it is 760 mmHg and this value decreases as you gain altitude
what alveolar pressure (PA)
pressure in the alveoli, aka intrapulmonary pressure
at the end of inspiration, alveolar pressure is the same as atmospheric pressure at 0 cmH2O
what is pleural pressure (PPL)
- pressure in the pleural space aka intrapleural pressure and closely approximates the intrathoracic pressure
- pleural pressure is negative to atmospheric pressure and is normally around -5cmH2O. It is negative bc the lungs want to collapse yet the chest wall wants to expand
transpulmonary pressure (PTP)
pressure is the difference between the alveolar pressure and the pleural pressure. also referred to as lung recoil pressure, or transmural pressure
what does mmHg describe
for the partial pressures of gases when discussing diffusion
what does cmH2O describe
when discussing bulk flow (convection)
what is an important property of the lungs to remember
elastic recoil/intrinsic tendency to deflate following inflation
what are elastin fibres
connective tissues within the lung contain lots of elastin fibres that are arranged in a meshwork that enhances their elastic behaviour. when lung is stretched, this elastic recoil causes the lung to deflate
describe surface tension of the lung
the force exerted by the liquid lining the inside of the alveoli and accounts for 70% of elastic recoil properties of the lung