Respiratory Flashcards
Define ventilation
The exchange of air between the atmosphere and the alveoli
How do you calculate air flow?
F = (P alv - P atm) / R
What is normal atmospheric pressure?
760mmHg at sea level
How many alveoli are there per lung?
300million
How much fresh air enters and leaves the alveoli per minute?
4 litres
During heavy exercise CO can increase to what value? And airflow to what value?
CO- 35L (6-7fold)
Airflow- 80L (20fold)
Name the structures of the upper airways…
Nose, mouth, pharynx and larynx
Where are the vocal folds located?
In the larynx
Which airway branches are the first to not contain cartilage?
Bronchioles
Name the structures of the conducting zone…
Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles
What are the functions of the conducting zone of the airways?
1) provides a low-resistance pathway to airflow
2) defence against microbes, toxic chemicals and foreign matter (cilia, mucus and macrophages)
3) warm and humidify the air
4) phonation
What is respiratory epithelium?
Pseudostratified, ciliated columnar epithelium
What can damage cilia?
Smoking- smokers cough up mucus that the cilia would normally have cleared
What is bronchiectasis?
Widening of the airways leading to an abnormal accumulation of mucus in the airways- shortness of breath- coughing
What does CFTR stand for?
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor regulator
