Pulmonary Phys- Trachte Flashcards
How do gases move across the blood-gas interface?
Diffuse!!!
Goes from high pressure to low pressure!
What 2 things does gas movement across a barrier depend on?
Cross sectional area
Thickness
What makes up the anatomical dead space?
Trachea to terminal bronchioles
(longer neck = increased dead space!)
NOTE* intubation can also increase dead space
What does compliant mean in terms of the lungs? What would increase it? decrease it?
Change in lung volume for a given change in pressure (stiffness)
- Compliance is decreased in pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema
- Compliance is increased in emphysema, normal aging
What is the role of surfactant?
reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse
**probably represents a key factor allowing for terrestrial life
What are the 4 general causes of reduced oxygen in the blood?
- reduction in ventilation
- Drugs (opiates)
- brain damage
- breath holding
What is tidal volume?
The amount of air inspired and expired in each breath
Usually around 500 mls
What is vital capacity?
the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inspiration
Usually about 6,000 ml
What is residual volume?
the amount of remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiration (never able to get rid of it, unless your lung collapses).
In a maximal expiration you are blowing out your expiratory reserve volume.
Usually about (1,500 mL)
What is functional residual capacity?
the amount of air remaining after a typical exhalation
expiratory reserve volume + residual volume
What does smoking paralyze in the lungs?
mucous-ciliary elevator
What is the volume amount remaining after a typical exhalation?
2500 mL (residual volume + expiratory reserve volume)
Function residual Volume = expiratory reserve volume + residual volume
How do you measure the functional residual capacity?
Helium gas dilution technique
What is total ventilation?
the amount of air entering and leaving the lung each MINUTE
Tidal volume x respirations per minute
What happens to functional residual capacity in obstructive diseases?
It goes UP!
How do you determine the volume of dead space?
Fowler’s single breath N2 washout
Which part of the lungs are ventilated better?
Lower regions of the lung are ventilated better than upper regions
What is the driving force of diffusion?
PRESSURE difference
Is CO a diffusion or perfusion limited?
Diffusion limited!
Only the diffusion barrier is creating resistance to flow of air, RBC affinity is so great that little rise in the blood partial pressure of carbon monoxide with tie in the capillary
Is O2 a diffusion or perfusion limited process?
Perfusion limited!
It is going to equilibrate and stop moving across barrier unless blood flow increases
What 3 gases are Perfusion Limited?
Nitrous Oxide
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
What would you use to measure diffusion capacity?
Use carbon monoxide because it is NOT perfusion limited
What happens to compliance in a pneumothorax?
GOES DOWN
What is LaPlaces Law?
Tension = (Pressure x radius)/2
If you increase ventilation, the concentration of what alveolar gas will decrease?
CO2
Why are lower regions of the lungs ventilated better?
More of a negative pressure