Pulmonary + Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
Major functions of respiration
Inflow and outflow of air between the atmosphere and the alveoli
Diffusion of O2 and CO2 between air and blood
Transport of oxygen and CO2 in the blood and body fluids to and from tissue
Airway Anatomy parts
Trachea
Right and Left Main Bronchi
Lobar Bronchi
Segmental Bronchi
Terminal Bronchioles
Respiratory Bronchioles
Alveolar Ducts
Characteristics of conducting airways
Have NO alveoli
Acinus is distal to
terminal bronchioles
Conducting airways
Trachea
Right and Left Main Bronchi
Lobar Bronchi
Segmental Bronchi
Terminal Bronchioles
The Respiratory Zone
The Acinus
What is this comprised of?
Makes up most of the volume of the lung
2.5-3 liters at rest
Each RBC spends about how long in the capillary network?
0.75 seconds in the capillary network
What MPAP is needed to generate 6L of Flow?
15 mm hg needed to generate 6 liters of flow
Surfactant is made by
TYPE II alveolar epithelial cells
Surfactant is a made of
phospholipids, proteins and ions
Muscles of expiration function
pull rib cage down
Muscles of inspiration function
Pull rib cage up
Muscles of inspiration
primarily external intercostals. Also SCM, Anterior serrati, scaleni– elevate rib cage– sternum moves outward from vert column and AP diameter inc 20%
Muscles of expiration
primarily abdominal recti, internal intercostals
Pleural pressure
Pressure of fluid between lung pleura and chest wall pleura. -5 cm h20 at rest
Alveolar pressure
Pressure of the air inside the alveolus. When airway open and no flow- 0 cm h20
Transpulmonary pressure
Difference between alveolar pressure and pleural pressure. Really a measurement of the elastic recoil of the lung
Pleural pressure function
fights lung tissue elastic recoil
Alveolar pressure
zero at airway rest, must get negative to get air in
greater TPP illustrates
greater compliance of the system
Lung compliance formula
the amount the lungs will expand for each unit of increase in transpulmonary pressure
How much air is needed to increase TPP by 1cm
Normally 200 ml air
Compliance is determined by
elastance of lung tissue and surface tension of alveoli. Also compliance of system involves chest wall compliance.
Elastic forces of lung tissue determined mainly from
elastin and collagen fibers. Alveoli forces moderated by surfactant.
Transpleural pressure elastance is mainly related to
surface tension btwn air and fluid
The thoracic cage is what percentage of the total lung system?
50%
Anatomic Dead Space (Definition)
The volume of air in the conducting airways
Anatomic Dead Space (Amount)
~150mL
What factors can change the anatomic dead space amount?
posture, size of person, and at the extremes of physiology
Physiologic Dead Space formula
(PacO-PeCo)
/PaCo
Alveolar ventilation is
the rate at which new air enters the alveoli
Dead Space Volume (Formula)
Va= RR (Vt-Vd)
expressed in L/min
Which region of the lung ventilates better?
Lower regions of the lung ventilate better than upper regions
Average tidal Volume
500mL
Average IRV
3100 mL
Average ERV
1200 mL
Average Residual volume
1200 mL
Tidal volume
Amount of air inhaled or exhaled with each breath under resting conditions
IRV
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
Amount of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal tidal volume inhalation
ERV
Expiratory Reserve Volume
Amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal tidal volume exhalation
RV
Residual Volume
Amount of air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation
TLC
Total Lung Capacity
Maximum Amount of air contained in lungs after a maximum inspiratory effort
TLC Formula
TLC= TV +IRV+ERV+RV
Vital capacity
Maximum amount of air that can be expired after a maximum inspiratory effort
Average Vital capacity
3100-4800 mL
Average TLC
4200-6000mL
AVerage inspiratory capacity
2400-3600 mL
Average Functional Residual Capacity
1800-2400 mL
Inspiratory capacity
Maximum amount of air that can be inspired after a normal expiration
inspiratory Capacity formula
IC= TV+IRV
Functional residual capacity
Volume of of air remaining in the lungs after a normal tidal volume expiration
FRC Formula
FRC=ERV+RV
Boyle’s Law (Formula)
P1V1=P2V2
Charles’ Law (Definition)
The volume of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature
Charles’ Law formula
V1/T1=V2/T2
Boyle’s Law (Definition)
As volume increases, the pressure of the gas decreases in proportion
Ideal Gas Law (formula)
PV=nRT
Diffusion Limited
The amount of gas that is taken up by the blood depends on the amount of blood and not all the blood-gas barrier
Perfusion Limited
the amount that gets into the blood is limited by the diffusion properties of the blood gas barrier and not by the amount of blood.
Shunting
blood entering the arterial system without going through ventilated areas of the lung.
Shunt Equation
Qs/Qt= (Cco2-Cao2)/(CcO2-cvO2)
Qs/Qt
Shunt fraction
Shunt flow divided by Total Cardiac output
Dead Space Equation
VD/VT= (Paco-peCo)/(Paco)
FiO2
Fraction of inspired oxygen
Room air FiO2
0.21 in room air
PaO2
Partial pressure of Alveolar Oxygen
atmospheric pressure
760 mmHg at sea level
PH2O
H2O Vapor pressure in the alveolus :
Usually 47 mmHg at 37C
West Zone 1
where alveolar pressure is higher than arterial or venous pressure
West Zone 2
where alveolar pressure is higher than arterial or venous pressure
West Zone 3
where both arterial and venous pressure is higher than alveolar
West Zone 4
where the interstitial pressure is higher than alveolar or pulmonary venous pressure.
West Zone 1 formula
PA > Pa > Pv
West Zone 2 Formula
Pa > PA > Pv
West Zone 3 Formula
Pa > Pv > PA
West Zone 4 Formula
Pa > Pi > Pv > PA
Respiratory system resistance
a combination of resistance to gas flow in the airways and resistance to deformation of tissues of both the lung and chest wall
Airway Resistance Formula
RrS=Rt+K1+K2V
Rt (in airway resistance)
The resistance from deformation of the lungs and chest wall
K1 (in airway resistance)
empirical constant representing gas viscosity
K2 (in airway resistance)
An empirical constant representing gas density and airway geometry
V (in airway resistance)
the flow as volume per unit of time
Tissue resistance from lung parenchyma
~70%
Tissue resistance from chest wall
~30%
What contributes to the work of breathing
Elastic work
Resistive work
Elastic work
Work done to overcome elastic recoil of the lung
Work done to overcome elastic recoil of the chest (which is subtracted from the work done to overcome the elastic recoil of the lung)
Resistive work
Work done to overcome tissue resistance, otherwise referred to as viscous resistance
Contributors to resistive work
Chest wall resistance
Lung resistance
Work done to overcomeairway resistance,which includes
Airway resistance
Resistance of airway devices and circuits
Respiratory Control Centers (controllers)
Nucleus retroambiguous
nucleus paraambigualis
Nucleus ambiguous
nucleus retroambiguous role and efferents/effectors
Upper motor neuron axons to contralateral expiratory muscles
Nucleus paraambigualis Role and efferents/effectors
Upper Motor neuron axons to contralateral inspiratory muscles
Nucleus ambiguous Role and efferent/effectors
vagus nerve: to larynx, pharynx and muscularis uvulae
Glossopharyngeus muscle to stylopharyngeus muscle
Pre-botzinger complex role and efferrent/effectors
Respiratory pacemaker (Central pattern generator)
Interneurons connecting to other respiratory control regions
Botzinger Complex- role and efferent/effectors
Expiratory Function
inhibitory interneurons to phrenic motor neurons and other respiratory control regions
Pontine respiratory group role and efferrent/effectors
Integrates descending control of respiration from the CNS
Interneurons connecting to other respiratory control regions
Cerebral Cortex role and efferrent/effectors
Volitional and behavioral respiratory control
Pontine respiratory group
mechanoreceptors in the bronchial and lung tissue (stimulus/Afferent nerve)
inflation/Deflation
Vagus Nerve
Central chemoreceptors (Stimulus/afferent nerve)
ph
No Nerve
Aortic Glomerulus Cells- in the aortic arch, subclavian arteries and pulmonary trunk
(Stimulus/Afferent nerve)
Aortic nerve (branch of the vagus)
PaO2
Changes in O2 delivery (anemia, carboxyhemoglobin, hypotension),
PacO2
Carotid body glomus
Type I cells- sited at the bifurcation of the common carotid
(Stimulus/Afferent nerve)
Stimuli- PaO2, PaCo2, pH, temp, Glucose (hypoglycemia)
Afferent nerve- Glossopharyngeal
Sniffing position
Helps to align Oral,
Pharyngeal, and Laryngeal
axes for optimal intubating
conditions
* Neck flexion (~35 deg) with
head/AO extension (~85-90
deg)
FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPE (FOB)
Consists of an light source,
handle, insertion cord (shaft), and
sometimes a screen
* Handle contains eyepiece (if no
screen), working channel ports,
control lever, and focusing ring
FOB uses
Diagnostic or therapeutic
bronchoscopy
* Placement tracheal tubes or gastric
tubes
* Advantageous in patients with difficult
airways or where rigid laryngoscopy is
not an option
Disadvantages of FOB
Fragile
Difficult to use
Difficult to clean
Longer time to secure airway
Difficult with blood/secretions
Risk of laryngeal trauma
Nasopharynx can be obstructed by
choanal atresia, septal
deviation, mucosal swelling or foreign material (blood,
mucous, objects)
Oropharynx entry can be blocked by
the soft palate lying
against the posterior pharyngeal wall
The pathway of gas can be restricted by the epiglottis in the
hypopharynx
Laryngeal obstruction related to spasm (laryngospasm) must
be treated by
positive airway pressure, deeper anesthesia,
muscle relaxants or endotracheal intubation
Laryngeal closure can occur from
intrinsic or extrinsic muscles of the larynx
Tight airway closure results from
Contraction of external laryngeal muscles, which force the mucosal folds of the quadrangular membrane into apposition
Stridor suggests
Glottic (laryngeal) obstruction or
laryngospasm (most often on inspiration)
Williams Oral airway
Was designed for blind
orotracheal intubations
Can be used as an aid to
fiberoptic intubations
If using for fiberoptic, the
tracheal tube connector has
to be removed during
intubation
Contraindications of nasopharyngeal airways
Hemorrhagic disorders
Anticoagulation therapy
Sepsis
Basilar skull fracture
History of epistaxis
Nasal packing in place
FiO2 of supplemental oxygen delivered is dependent on
flow rate and device used
In nasal cannula, what is max flow rate?
6L/min
simple mask flow rates
No less than 5 L/min to
avoid CO2 rebreathing
(usually 6-10 L/min
Reservoir masks Can deliver FiO2 up to
1.0
(15L/min)
Peak pressures > 20 cm h2O can cause
gastric distention
Pulmonary veins
Four pulmonary veins (RUPV, RLPV, LUPV, LLPV)
Empty into left atrium
Oxygenated blood from the lungs
Pulmonary artery
Originates at the RV apex/pulmonic valve
Divides into right and left main branches
Very compliant system
Mixed venous blood pumped by the RV
Bronchial vessels
Bronchial arteries originate from the systemic circulatory system (1-2% CO)
Transport arterial blood (oxygenated)
Empties into pulmonary veins after passing through the tissues
High pressure, low flow circulation (Pulmonary) Source
Systemic arterial blood from bronchial arteries (branches of the
thoracic aorta)
High pressure, low flow circulation (Pulmonary) Supplies
Trachea, bronchial tree, supporting tissues of the lung, adventitia of
pulmonary arteries and veins
Low pressure, high flow circulation
Source
Venous blood from body pulmonary artery alveoli (gas
exchange)
Low pressure, high flow circulation Supplies
Returns via pulmonary veins to the LA LV and then pumped
systemically
Pulmonary arterial system
Low pressure system
Thin vessel walls
Relatively little smooth muscle
The lung is required to always be able to accept
the entire CO
Pulmonary Artery Circulation pressure
25/10 mmHg
Pulmonary artery cathether uses
Uses: assessment of patients with pulmonary hypertension, cardiogenic shock, and unexplained dyspnea
Pulmonary artery cathterization
an intravascular catheter is inserted through a central vein (femoral, jugular, antecubital or brachial) to connect to the right side of the heart and advance towards the pulmonary artery
The “extra-alveolar” vessels are exposed to lower pressure (than alveolar pressure). These can be pulled open by
the radial traction of the surrounding lung parenchyma
PVR is normally small but can reduce even further as
pressure within the vessels increases
Recruitment
Opening of previously closed vessels
Distension
Increase in caliber of vessels
Change in shape from near flat to circular
Distension is the predominant mechanism for
decreased PVR at higher vascular pressures
PVR is highest at
very large lung volumes
Lung Volume affects
PVR
PVR is also high at
very low lung volumes
Resistance is the least when?
at normal TV breathing
If the lung is completely collapsed
Requires much more pressure to
allow blood flow
Critical opening pressure
What else affects PVR
Extra-alveolar vessels contain smooth muscle
Substances that cause contraction of smooth muscle will increase PVR
Substances that cause contraction of smooth muscle
Serotonin
Histamine
Norepinephrine
Thromboxane A2
Endothelin
Nitrous oxide
(Hypoxia)
What are some vasodilators?
Nitric oxide
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors
Calcium channel blockers
Prostacyclin
Calculation of pulmonary resistance
Resistance = Change in Pressure / Flow
PVR = [(mPAP – PCWP)/CO] x 80
SVR Equation
SVR = [(MAP – CVP)/CO] x 80
Change in Pressure
Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure (mPAP)
Left atrial pressure (is approximated by Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
(PCWP)
Qp = Qs =
Cardiac Output
Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction (HPV)
Decreased O2 concentration in alveoli blood vessel constriction
This is the opposite of what happens in the systemic circulation
Gravity and positioning affect blood flow and
therefore
gas exchange
When upright, what area of the lungs receives the least amount of bloodflow?
Apex receives least amount of blood
When Supine, how is blood distribution in the lungs allocated?
Apex and base are now about equal
Posterior (or dependent) portion of the lung receives more
blood flow than the anterior portion
When hanging upside down, what area of the lungs receives the most blood flow?
Apex receives most blood flow
how does exercise affect blood flow throughout the lungs
Exercise causes the blood flow in increase throughout
and the differences between the areas becomes less
West Zone 1 doesn’t occur under normal conditions. When might this occur?
Reduced arterial pressure
Increased alveolar pressure
Which west zone mimics normal blood flow?
Zone 3
In hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, Hypoxia (PO2 in the
alveoli) causes
local action on the artery without requiring CNS connections
Hydrostatic pressure (formula)
Pc – Pi
Colloid osmotic pressure
𝜋c - 𝜋i
Starling’s equation
Net fluid out = K[(Pc – Pi)– 𝜎(𝜋c - 𝜋i)]
K = filtration coefficient
Pulmonary edema
Fluid can leak into the interstitial space (perivascular/peribronchial space) and eventually get into the alveoli (obviously this is going to interfere with gas exchange)
Angiotensin I in pulmonary circulation
Converted to Angiotensin II by ACE
Angiotensin II in Pulmonary circulation
unaffected
Vasopressin in pulmonary circulation
Unaffected
bradykinin in pulmonary circulation
Up to 80% inactivated
Serotonin in pulmonary circulation
Almost completely removed
Norepinephrine in pulmonary circulation
Up to 30% removed
histamine in pulmonary circulation
not affected
Dopamine in pulmonary circulation
not affected
E2 and F2x in pulmonary circulation
Almost completely removed
A2 in Pulmonary circulation
not affected
PGI2 in pulmonary circulation
not affected
Leukotrienes in pulmonary circulation
Almost completely removed
What is a normal pressure in the right atrium?
A: 5
B: 10
C: 15
D : 20
A: 5
What is the normal pressure in the right ventricle?
A: 25/15
B: 10/0
C: 15/5
D: 25/0
D: 25/0
When floating a pulmonary artery catheter, how can you tell that
you’ve entered the main pulmonary artery?
C: The diastolic pressure will increase
Calculate the PVR for this patient: mPAP 20, PCWP 7, CO 5.5.
A: 166
B: 189
C: 275
D: 392
B: 189
PVR = [(mPAP – PCWP)/CO] x 80
Which of the following would be most consistent with West Zone
2?
A: Pa > Pv > PA
B: PA > Pa > Pv
C: Pa > PA > Pv
C: Pa > PA > Pv