Pulmonary/Respiratory pt.2 Flashcards
lungs are composed of __________
elastic and inelastic properties
how do the elastic components of the lungs play a role in its function
the stretch(inspiration) and recoil(expiration) of these components play a role in lung compliance
explain the significance of the surface tension of water in the fluid lining the alveoli
the surface tension of water in the fluid lining the alveoli plays a major role in lung compliance with the strong attraction of water molecules to each other tending to pull alveoli shut
surfactant
a compound which aids in the prevention of lung collapse as a result of water tension
- > composed of the phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)
- > surfactant prevents the total colapse of lungs by decreasing the surface tension of water
pressures within the lung are ALWAYS compared to __________
atmospheric pressure (Patm)
= 760 mmHg
- > calculated as ΔP
intrapulmonary pressure
Ppul
Ppul at rest = atmospheric pressure so ΔP = 0 mmHg
- > however, Ppul varies during respiration such that Ppul is less than Patm during inspiration and greater than Patm during expiration
describe the pressures inside the alveoli as lung volumes increases and decreases
as lung volume increases (alveoli open/stretch), pressures within the alveoli decrease
as lung volume decreases (alveoli recoil), pressures within the alveoli increase
transpulmonary pressure; what happens when this increases
measure of distending force across the lungs
- > an increase in Transpulmonary P = greater distending P across the lungs and the alveoli expand
intrapleural pressure at rest
Pip
at rest = -4 mmHg
Pip does vary during respiration but is always negative during normal breathing; postive reading can indicate a collapsed lung
describe lung volume during inspiration and what happening as it occurs
- > increased V occurs duing inspiration
- > elevation of ribs by the external intercostals = increasing anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
- > downward movement of the diaphragm (contraction) = lengthening of the chest cavity
describe pressure within the lungs during inspiration
- > as lung volumes increase, pressure within the lungs (Ppul) decreases and is now less than Patm by -1 mmHg
- > this creates a “vacuum” effect due to a pressure gradient (higher pressures outside the lungs than inside)
- > therefore, air moves from an area of high pressure (outside) to and area of low pressure (inside) filling the lungs with air until the outside P = inside P
describe lung volume during expiration
a decrease in V occurs during expiration
- > relaxation of external intercostals + upward movement of the diaphragm + elasetic recoil properties of the lungs decreases lung volume snd thorasic cage volume
* relaxation of the respiratory muscles stop the physical pull on the alveoli, causing the walls of the alveoli to recoild and “close” the alveoli
describe pressure during expiration
as lung volumes decrease, pressure within the lungs increases (increased Ppul) and is now greater than Patm by +1 mmHg
- > pressure gradient is now from inside to outside and air flows from inside the lungs to outside the lungs until the pressure within the lungs = atmospheric pressure
what is Daltons law
each gas contributes to total atmospheric pressure in direct proportion to its relative concentration
- > therefore in a mixture of gases, the pressure exerted by each gas is independent of the pressure exerted by others
explain the ambient conc. of O2 and PAO2 and PaO2
the O2 we breath in only makes up 21% of total atmospheric pressure, and 21% of 760 mmHg = 160 mmHg (ambient air concentration of O2)
- > but inside the alveolus, changes occur such that the partial pressure (PAO2) of O2 decreases to around 104 mmHg
- > arterial partial pressure (PaO2) of oxygen is usually around 100 mmHg while tissue PO2 can be as low as 40 mmHg in the resting state
changes to the partial pressure of O2 within the alveolus can be caused by what
- temperature
- humidity
- CO2 mixing with incoming air
ventilation
= frequency (RR) x depth of breathing
- > around 10-20 breaths/min
RR = respiratory rate
total ventilation (at rest)
VT
= amount inspired/breath x RR
= tidal volume (TV) x RR
TV = 6000 cc/min