respiratory 21 Flashcards
what forces allow expiration to occur passively at rest?
elasticity( of the lungs) and surface tension( in the lungs)
Elasticity
ability to recover the initial volume after inspiration
based on physical properties
Lungs are distensible
what proteins produce elasticity in the lungs?
elastin and collagen
surface tension
Molecules within a liquid have cohesive forces with all
neighbouring atoms. But, those on the surface (i.e. at a liquid-gas interface) have no neighbouring atoms above, and so exhibit
stronger attractive forces upon their nearest neighbours on the
surface. This enhancement of the intermolecular attractive forces
at the surface is called surface tension.
surface tension force in the lung
In the lung there is ONE liquid-gas interface on the inside. Air inside the alveolus. Surface tension is providing a deflation/collapsing pressure. Net inward collapsing force.
Leplace’s Law: P= 2T/R. P-pressure, T-surface tension, R-radius of alveolus. So bid alveolus would have less collapsing pressure than a small one.
pressure-volume relationship of the Lung
what affect does COPD( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) have on compliance?
increases compliance. Less pressure is required to generate volume change( inflate the lungs)
cigarette smoke destroys elastin, loss of part of the recoil force. Difficulty expiring the air( deflating the lungs). Lungs are growing.
What effect does fibrosis have on compliance?
Decreased compliance
what are the risk factors for developing fibrosis?
-industrial environments, coal mining. The inflammatory reaction can affect resident fibroblasts in the lungs to produce more collagen.
fibrosis is associated with laying down more of what protein?
Fibrosis is associated with laying down more collagen. More collagen= stiffer lungs. The patient has trouble inflating the lung.
Need to generate much higher intra-pleural pressure to inflate the lungs.
What is the size of the COPD lung?
longer and wider
Flattened diaphragm.
Mid-sternal space reduced
what is another word for COPD?
emphysema
Fibrosis lung shape
Shorter
Mid-sternal space is increased
Fibrotic tissue
what part of the airway has the highest resistance?
trachea
The total cross-sectional area of all bronchioles
Is much larger than that of the trachea.
how much is cross-sectional area increased from the trachea to the alveoli?
500x