Physiology of Respiration (Boyle's law, Rate of Breathing) Flashcards
What is Boyle’s Law?
Given a gas of constant temperature, increasing the volume of the chamber in which the gas is contained will cause a corresponding decrease in pressure. Decreasing the volume of the chamber will cause an increase in pressure.
If you increase volume . . .
the pressure will decrease (negative pressure)
If you decrease volume . . .
the pressure will increase (positive pressure)
Inhalation summary
Expansion of the thoracic cavity increases the volume, which decreases the air pressure inside the lungs (air flows into the lungs).
How is quiet (passive) inspiration/inhalation accomplished?
Mostly through the diaphragm
How is Active (forced) inspiration/inhalation accomplished?
Uses muscles of inspiration to expand the chest cavity more
Exhalation summary
Compression of the thoracic cavity decreases the volume of the lungs, which increases air pressure (air flows out of the lungs).
How is quiet (passive) exhalation accomplished?
- System is restored to a resting position after inspiration
- Driven by forces of torque, elasticity, and gravity
How is active (forced) expiration accomplished?
-Muscular effort enhances the act of expiration
- Abdomen is compressed
- Muscles reduce the size of the thoracic cavity
How is Rate of Breathing measured?
Breaths per minute
What variables affect the rate of breathing?
- Age
- Activity level
- Muscle weakness/strength (Flaccid/Spastic
- Illness
Describe Spastic muscles
Excessive tone
Describe Flaccid muscles
Too little tone
Fill in the rate of breathing chart
