Physiology - Respiratory System: Structure & Function Flashcards
9 components of the respiratory tract structure?
- ) Nasal cavity
- ) Pharynx
- ) Larynx
- ) Trachea
- ) Right primary bronchus
- ) Left primary bronchus
- ) Right lung
- ) Left lung
- ) Diaphragm
How many alveoli are there? Diameter? Cell thickness?
Around 600 million.
- 3mm diameter.
- 5-4 µm cell thickness.
What determines airflow into and out of lungs? (Inspiration & expiration)
Anatomy of lungs.
Pleural sacs.
Diaphragm muscle.
Thoracic cage.
Structure of area surrounding lung?
- ) Parietal pleura.
- ) Pleural cavity.
- ) Visceral pleura.
Pleural effusion? What is it known as?
The build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs.
“Water on the lungs”.
Pleura?
Thin membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity and act to lubricate and facilitate breathing.
Boyle’s law?
At constant temperature, pressure x volume is constant. As volume increases on inspiration, pressure decreases.
Boyle’s law formula? (P = Pressure; V = Volume)
P1 x V1 = P2 x V2.
Intrapulmonic pressure at rest?
Inspiration? Expiration? (when atmospheric pressure is 760mmHg)
760mmHg.
758mmHg.
763mmHg.
Intrapleural pressure at rest? Inspiration? Expiration? (when atmospheric pressure is 760mmHg)
756mmHg.
754mmHg.
756mmHg.
What happens to the intercostals and diaphragm during inspiration? Expiration?
Intercostals and diaphragm contract.
Intercostals and diaphragm relax.
What happens to the thorax during inspiration? Expiration?
Thorax volume increases, pressure decreases.
Thorax volume decreases, pressure increases greater than atmospheric pressure and air moves out.
Equipment used to measure lung function?
Simple spirometer.
Vitalograph.
Hand-held, digital spirometer.
Factors that affect normal lung volumes and function? What do they assess?
1.) Age.
2.) Sex.
3.) Height.
4.) Race.
Used to assess data you will generate.
FEV? FEV1? FVC?
Forced expiratory volume.
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second.
Forced vital capacity.
Spirometry indicates the presence of an abnormality if any of the following are recorded:
- FEV1 <80% predicted normal.
- FVC <80% predicted normal.
- FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7.
Spirometry indicates a reduced flow/obstructive disorder if the following are recorded:
- FEV1 reduced.
- FVC is usually reduced but to a lesser extent than FEV1.
- FEV1/FVC ratio reduced.
Spirometry indicates a reduced capacity/restrictive disorder if the following are recorded:
- FEV1 reduced.
- FVC reduced.
- FEV1/FVC ratio normal (>0.7).
What does a reduced flow reading via spirometry indicate?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Asthma.
What does a reduced capacity reading via spirometry indicate?
Pneumonia.
Tuberculosis.
COPD?
(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties such as:
- Emphysema.
- Chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema?
Chronic Bronchitis?
Damage to the alveoli.
Long-term inflammation of the airways.
Pulmonary diffusion?
Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries at the respiratory membrane.
Where does the branching of the respiratory tree end in?
The alveoli.
Where are a dense network of capillaries located?
Around alveolar sacs.
Surface area of alveoli? How many cells thick?
60-80m2.
2 cells thick/0.5 – 4 μm.
Structure of the respiratory membrane? What does it look like?
- Branch of pulmonary artery (from the heart).
- Branch of pulmonary vein (to the heart).
- Capillaries.
Looks like a bunch of grapes.
Structure of the respiratory membrane?
- ) Alveolar wall.
- ) Alveolar basement membrane.
- ) Capillary basement membrane.
- ) Capillary wall.
Where does the diffusion of O2 (through the respiratory membrane) and the diffusion of CO2 (out of the respiratory membrane) occur via?
Red blood cells in the capillary of the alveolus.
Pulmonary diffusion?
Gaseous exchange between capillary and alveolar.
