Physiology Flashcards
Internal Respiration
intracellular process which consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide
External Respiration
Sequence of events leading to the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the cells of the body
4 steps of external respiration
- Ventilation - Moving gas in and out of the lungs. Gas exchange between atmosphere and alveoli (air sacs).
- Gas exchange - between the air in the alveoli and the blood
- Gas transport - in the blood
- Gas exchange - between the blood and the tissues
Boyle’s Law
As the volume of a gas increases, the pressure exerted by the gas decreases.
Inversely proportional
Eg:
Before inspiration - intra-alveolar pressure is equivalent to the atmospheric pressure
During inspiration - Thorax and lungs expand (volume increases) causing the intra-alveolar pressure to become less than the atmospheric pressure (pressure decreases).
Intra-pleural pressure
The pressure within the pleural sac. The pressure exerted outside the lungs within the thoracic cavity.
Falls during inspiration.
Rises during expiration.
Linkage of lungs to thorax
Negative intra-pleural pressure - the below-atmospheric intra-pleural pressure creates a transmural pressure gradient across the lung wall and chest wall. Causes lungs to expand outwards while chest squeezes inwards.
Intra-pleural fluid cohesiveness - water molecules in intra-pleural fluid are attracted to each other and resist being pulled apart. Pleural membranes therefore stick together.
Inspiratory muscles
Diaphragm - major inspiratory muscle. Contraction (flattening) of the diaphragm lowers the diaphragm and thus increases the volume of the thorax vertically, increasing the vertical diameter of the chest.
External Intercostal Muscle - contraction elevates rib cage and causes the sternum to move upwards and outwards. This increases the AP diameter of the chest
Expiratory muscles
Diaphragm - Relaxes (moves up to original position).
External Intercostal Muscles - relaxation causes rib cage to get smaller and return to original position
Chest wall and stretched lungs recoil (volume decreases) causing intra-alveolar pressure to rise (pressure increases) as air is now contained in a smaller volume. Air then leaves the lungs until intra-alveolar pressure = atmospheric pressure
Recoiling of lungs during expiration
Elastic connective tissue - everything bounces back into place
(If elastic properties are lost, air is trapped in the lungs (hyperinflation) as it can’t be pushed out causing difficulties in expiration).
Alveolar surface tension - attraction of water molecules at liquid air interface which produces a force which resists the stretching of lungs. Makes the lungs recoil or collapse
Pulmonary Surfactant
Reduces alveolar surface tension. Smaller alveoli have a higher tendency to collapse and pulmonary surfactant helps to prevent this from happening.
Secreted by type II alveoli and lowers alveolar surface tension by interspersing between the water molecules lining the alveoli.
Premature babies may not have enough and this can result in respiratory distress syndrome
Alveolar Interdependence
Helps to keep the alveoli open.
If an alveolus starts to collapse the surrounding alveoli will stretch then recoil which exerts expanding forces on the collapsing alveoli and forces it to open
Inspiration
Active process, depends on contraction of inspiratory muscles.
Expiration
Passive process, relaxation of inspiratory muscles.
Forces promoting alveoli opening (3)
Pulmonary surfactant
Alveolar interdependence
Transmural pressure gradient (negative intra-pleural pressure)
Forces promoting alveolar closure (2)
Elastic connective tissue
Alveolar surface tension
Major muscles of inspiration
Diaphragm
External Intercostal Muscles
Sternum
Ribcage
Accessory muscles of inspiration
Sternocleidomastoid
Scalenus
Muscles of active expiration
Internal Intercostal Muscles
Abdominal Muscles
Tidal Volume (TV)
Volume of air entering of leaving the lungs in a single breath
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
Extra volume of air maximally inspired beyond the tidal volume
Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
Maximum volume of air inspired after a normal quiet expiration (IC=TV+IRV)
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
Extra volume of air maximally expired beyond the tidal volume
Residual Volume (RV)
Volume of air left in the lungs after a maximal expiration
Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)
Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal passive expiration
Vital Capacity (VC)
The maximum volume exhaled after a maximal inspiration. (VC=TV+IRV+ERV)
Total Lung Capacity (TLC)
The maximum volume the lungs can hold (TLC=VC+RV)
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
The maximum volume of air forcibly expelled from the lungs following a maximal inspiration