Physiology (Respiratory) Flashcards
How can you measure lung volumes?
Using a spirometer
What lung volumes cannot be measured by spirometry ?
- TLC
- FRC
- RV
How can FRC be measured?
- Body plethysmography
- Helium dilution
What is tidal volume ?
This is the volume of gas inhaled or exhaled during a normal resting breath
What is residual volume?
Volume of gas that remains in the lungs after maximal forced expiration
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
This is the volume of gas that can further be inspired after the end of normal tidal inhalation
What is expiratory reserve volume?
This is the volume of gas that can further be exhaled after the end of normal tidal expiration
What is vital capacity ?
This is the volume of gas that can inhaled following maximal inspiration
what is FRC?
This is the volume of gas that remains in the lungs after normal tidal expiration
This is the sum of ERV and RV
What are the values of lung volumes and capacities ?
- TV = 500
- IRV = 2500
- ERV = 1500
- FRC = 3000
- RV = 1500
- VC = 4500
- TLC = 6000
What is the closing volume?
This is the volume over and above RV that remain in the lungs when the small airway begins to close.
What is closing capacity?
This is the capacity at which the small airways begin to close.
This is a sum of RV + closing volume
How is closing volume measured?
This is measured by measuring the conc of nitrogen in expired gas after a single breath of 100% oxygen
How is anatomical dead space measured?
Nitrogen wash-out test
How is closing capacity calculated?
This is by adding the value of Nitrogen wash-out to RV which has been calculated by Helium dilution
Characteristics of closing capacity?
- Increases with age
- Reaches standing FRC at 70yo
- Reaches supine FRC at 40 yo
Characteristics of hyperventilation?
Respiratory changes?
- Increases arterial oxygen tension
- Decreases arterial CO2 tension
- Alkalosis
- OHDC shifts to the left
Characteristics of hyperventilation?
Metabolic changes ?
- Hypokalaemia
- Hypocalcaemia
- Decreased bicarbonate
Consequences of left shift of OHDC?
- Tissue hypoxia
- Increased affinity of Hb for oxygen
- Reduced unloading of oxygen
Characteristics of hyperventilation?
Cardiovascular?
- Increased O2
- Decreased CO2
- Electrolyte imbalance & Arrhythmias
- Increased SVR
- Decreased CO
Characteristics of hyperventilation?
CNS?
- Reduced CBF- Hypocapnia
Characteristics of hyperventilation?
Others?
- Reduced renal blood flow
- Reduced hepatic blood flow
What is the alveolar gas equation ?
The alveolar O2 tension is equal to the inspired O2 tension minus alveolar CO2 divided by respiratory quotient.
PAO2 = PiO2 - PACO2 / RQ
What is RQ?
The amount of CO2 produced divided by the amount of O2 consumed.
It is normally 0.8 and can reach 1 in exercise
Characteristics of the OHDC?
- Sigmoid shape
Factors affecting left shift of OHDC?
- Decreased temperature
- Decreased 2,3-DPG
- Decreased hydrogen ions
- Carbonmonoxide
Factors affecting right shift of OHDC?
- Increased temperature
- Increased 2,3-DPG
- Increased hydrogen ions
What is P50?
- Oxygen saturation is 50%
- Partial pressure of oxygen is 27mmHg
Forms of CO2 transport?
- Dissolved - HCO2
- Hb - Carb-amino compounds
What is the Haldane effect?
Deoxygenated Hb is able to carry more CO2 than Oxygenated Hb
Deoxygenated is able to procuduce more carb-amino compounds than oxygenated ones
Characteristics of central chemoreceptors?
- Located ventral surface of medulla
- Sensitive to PCO2 - Not O2
- Responds to changes in pH - Increased CO2
- Responds rapidly
Characteristics of peripheral chemoreceptors?
- Located in the carotid & aortic bodies
- Responds to decreased PO2
- Responds to increased PCO2 & hydrogen ion
- Responsible for hypoxic respiratory drive
- Responds rapidly
Mechanism of central chemoreceptor response?
- Hyperventilation
- Diffusion of CO2 out of capillaries
- Decrease CSF pH
What is the ventilatory response to increased CO2?
- Increase in CO2 by 1mmHg will increase mV 2-3L
- Central and peripheral chemoreceptors are responsible for this response