Physiology - Respiratory System: Structure & Function

Question 1

9 components of the respiratory tract structure?

Answer 1

1. ) Nasal cavity
2. ) Pharynx
3. ) Larynx
4. ) Trachea
5. ) Right primary bronchus
6. ) Left primary bronchus
7. ) Right lung
8. ) Left lung
9. ) Diaphragm

Question 2

How many alveoli are there? Diameter? Cell thickness?

Answer 2

Around 600 million.

0. 3mm diameter.
1. 5-4 µm cell thickness.

Question 3

What determines airflow into and out of lungs? (Inspiration & expiration)

Answer 3

Anatomy of lungs.
Pleural sacs.
Diaphragm muscle.
Thoracic cage.

Question 4

Structure of area surrounding lung?

Answer 4

1. ) Parietal pleura.
2. ) Pleural cavity.
3. ) Visceral pleura.

Question 5

Pleural effusion? What is it known as?

Answer 5

The build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs.
“Water on the lungs”.

Question 6

Pleura?

Answer 6

Thin membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity and act to lubricate and facilitate breathing.

Question 7

Boyle’s law?

Answer 7

At constant temperature, pressure x volume is constant. As volume increases on inspiration, pressure decreases.

Question 8

Boyle’s law formula? (P = Pressure; V = Volume)

Answer 8

P1 x V1 = P2 x V2.

Question 9

Intrapulmonic pressure at rest?

Inspiration? Expiration? (when atmospheric pressure is 760mmHg)

Answer 9

760mmHg.
758mmHg.
763mmHg.

Question 10

Intrapleural pressure at rest? Inspiration? Expiration? (when atmospheric pressure is 760mmHg)

Answer 10

756mmHg.
754mmHg.
756mmHg.

Question 11

What happens to the intercostals and diaphragm during inspiration? Expiration?

Answer 11

Intercostals and diaphragm contract.

Intercostals and diaphragm relax.

Question 12

What happens to the thorax during inspiration? Expiration?

Answer 12

Thorax volume increases, pressure decreases.

Thorax volume decreases, pressure increases greater than atmospheric pressure and air moves out.

Question 13

Equipment used to measure lung function?

Answer 13

Simple spirometer.
Vitalograph.
Hand-held, digital spirometer.

Question 14

Factors that affect normal lung volumes and function? What do they assess?

Answer 14

1.) Age.
2.) Sex.
3.) Height.
4.) Race.
Used to assess data you will generate.

Question 15

FEV? FEV1? FVC?

Answer 15

Forced expiratory volume.
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second.
Forced vital capacity.

Question 16

Spirometry indicates the presence of an abnormality if any of the following are recorded:

Answer 16

• FEV1 <80% predicted normal.
• FVC <80% predicted normal.
• FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7.

Question 17

Spirometry indicates a reduced flow/obstructive disorder if the following are recorded:

Answer 17

• FEV1 reduced.
• FVC is usually reduced but to a lesser extent than FEV1.
• FEV1/FVC ratio reduced.

Question 18

Spirometry indicates a reduced capacity/restrictive disorder if the following are recorded:

Answer 18

• FEV1 reduced.
• FVC reduced.
• FEV1/FVC ratio normal (>0.7).

Question 19

What does a reduced flow reading via spirometry indicate?

Answer 19

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Asthma.

Question 20

What does a reduced capacity reading via spirometry indicate?

Answer 20

Pneumonia.

Tuberculosis.

Question 21

COPD?

Answer 21

(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties such as:

• Emphysema.
• Chronic bronchitis.

Question 22

Emphysema?

Chronic Bronchitis?

Answer 22

Damage to the alveoli.

Long-term inflammation of the airways.

Question 23

Pulmonary diffusion?

Answer 23

Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries at the respiratory membrane.

Question 24

Where does the branching of the respiratory tree end in?

Answer 24

The alveoli.

Question 25

Where are a dense network of capillaries located?

Answer 25

Around alveolar sacs.

Question 26

Surface area of alveoli? How many cells thick?

Answer 26

60-80m2.

2 cells thick/0.5 – 4 μm.

Question 27

Structure of the respiratory membrane? What does it look like?

Answer 27

• Branch of pulmonary artery (from the heart).
• Branch of pulmonary vein (to the heart).
• Capillaries.
  Looks like a bunch of grapes.

Question 28

Structure of the respiratory membrane?

Answer 28

1. ) Alveolar wall.
2. ) Alveolar basement membrane.
3. ) Capillary basement membrane.
4. ) Capillary wall.

Question 29

Where does the diffusion of O2 (through the respiratory membrane) and the diffusion of CO2 (out of the respiratory membrane) occur via?

Answer 29

Red blood cells in the capillary of the alveolus.

Question 30

Pulmonary diffusion?

Answer 30

Gaseous exchange between capillary and alveolar.