Respiration Flashcards
What factors can effect pulmonary compliance?
Increase - Surfactant and Emphysema (loss of elastic tissue so its easier to stretch)
Decrease - Pulmonary fibrosis (scar tissue is harder to stretch)
Name the receptors that detect H+, CO2 and O2, and where they’re found
Central Chemoreceptors - [H+] and PCO2
Peripheral Chemoreceptors - PO2
These are found in the carotid and aortic bodies
What is the parenchyma?
The functional unit of the lungs, and where gaseous exchange takes place
List the differences in the muscles used during inspiration and expiration during exercise
Inspiration - External intercoastals
Diaphragm
Expiration - Internal intercoastals
Abdominal muscles
Diaphragm
What stimulates the development in lung epithelium in babies?
Corticosteroids
How are the lungs emptied of fluid during birth?
There is a surge of steroids and catecholamines which activate Epithelial Sodium Channels (ENaC) These cause Na+ to leave the lungs, and take the water with them
What is meant by the neuronal control of breathing?
The automatic control by respiratroy centres in the brainstem
The lungs have various metabolic functions. What is one of the major functions in terms of the kidneys?
It activates Angiotensin 1 –> 2
Is gas exchange done in the upper or lower respiratory tract?
Lower
What role can adrenaline have on smooth muscle?
Cause it to contract/constrict
Describe Slowly Adapting myelinated fibres
These are stimulated by stretch receptors in smooth muscle (in the airways)
They causes various reflexes such as shortened inspration, the Hering-Breuer Reflex, and bronchodialation
Hering-Breuer Reflex = the promotion of exhalation after inflation (to prevent over-inhalation)
What are pleural membranes?
A double membrane that surrounds each lung, containing serous fluid (as a lubricant)
They act as a seal to ensure that if one lung collapses, the other will be ok
The fluid also allows the lungs to stick to the inside of the thorax
Explain what is meant by Ventilation-Perfusion matching
For gas exchange to be as good as possible, the ventilation of the alveoli must equal the blood perfusion
If the ratio is not equal to 1, then we need to decrease the blood flow (if one lung is not working) via vasoconstriction
Describe rapidly adapting stretch receptors (myelinated)
These are stimulated by sudden, sustained inflation, as well as irritant receptors
They causes reflexes such as coughs, bronchodialation and mucus secretion
What is the difference between Exogenous and Endogenous stimuli?
Exogenous - Noxious agents from the air
Endogenous - Inflammatory agents that are generated by the body
Describe the fluctuations in PCO2 during exercise
Ventilation increase before exercise starts, so PCO2 decreases to start with
The PCO2 then increases slowly as more CO2 is produced from exercise
Once exercise stops, PCO2 spikes due to a drop in ventilation
What are the downsides of a lung transplant?
There is a loss of lung-brain innervation
So there is a loss of the Hering-Breuer Reflex and cough stimulation
Explain how Acetazolamide, Doxapram and Caffeine work
Acetazolamide - Inhibits carbonic anhydrase to create mild acidosis –> increasing the ventilation rate
It can also lower EPO production and haematocrit
Doxapram - Closes K+ channels in the glomus cells to increase the repsiration rate
Caffeine - Stimulates non-specific parts of the CNS, including the respiratory system