respiratory pathology - non neoplastic Flashcards
parts of the upper airways?
nose, accessory air sinuses, nasopharynx, larynx
parts of the lower airways?
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles, alveoli, pleura
which part of the respiratory system has cartilage in it’s wall?
trachea and bronchi
muscle in the bronchioles wall?
smooth muscle
where does gas exchange occur?
alveoli - the basic functional component of the lungs
function of the upper airways in breathing?
warm, humidify and filter the air. the air is then carried through the respiratory tree down into the trachea, through the bronchioles and into the alveoli
what happens to the body during inspiration?
the diaphragm flattens and moves down, the intercostal muscles contract and lift the ribs up and out - this increases the volume in the thorax
what happens to the pressure of the lungs during inspiration?
the pressure goes down, so that air can enter the lungs
what happens to the body during expiration?
the diaphragm moves up, and the ribs move down and in. the pressure in the lungs increases, causing the lungs to recoil and push air out
what is an infection of the upper airways?
acute inflammatory process affecting mucous membranes of the respiratory tract - virus attaches and invades respiratory mucosa causing damage and inflammation
symptoms of upper airway infection?
malaise, headache, sore throat, discharge
examples of upper airway infections?
tonsillitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis
example of infection of the lower airways?
pneumonia
describe pneumonia
inflammation of the lung parenchyma due to bacterial infection - the distal airways and air spaces become consolidated and filled with inflammatory exudate and pus
causes of pneumonia?
infectious agents, inhalation of chemicals, chest wall trauma,
clinical features of pneumonia?
SOB, fever, rigours, pleuritic chest pain, purulent sputum and cough
common organism in community acquired pneumonia?
streptococci pneumonia
what is hospital acquired pneumonia?
any pneumonia contracted by patient at least 48-72 hours after admission. it is usually bacterial - gram negative bacilli and staphylococcus aureus
symptoms of hospital acquired pneumonia?
fever, increased WBC, cough with purulent sputum, chest x-ray change
describe aspiration pneumonia
develops after inhalation of foreign material such as food or fluid, caused by oral flora and other bacteria
describe obstructive disorders?
characterised by partial or complete obstruction at any level from the trachea and respiratory bronchioles
describe restrictive disorders?
characterised by reduced expansion with decreased total lung capacity.
describe emphysema
COPD. irreversible enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles leading to destruction of their walls, and reduced surface area for gas exchange
clinical symptoms of emphysema?
dyspnoea, cough, wheezing, weight loss, expiratory airflow limitation - pink puffers, congestive heart failure, pneumothorax
describe chronic bronchitis?`
COPD. persistent cough with sputum production for at least three months in at least 2 consecutive years without any other identifiable cause
morphology of chronic bronchitis?
mucous membrane hypraemia, swelling, odema, excessive mucous excretions, narrowing of bronchioles, inflammation and fibrosis
clinical symptoms of bronchitis?
persistent cough productive of sputum, dyspnoea of exertion, blue/cyanosed, hypercapnia, hypoxemia
describe asthma
a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterised by recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and cough,
types of asthma?
extrinsic - response to inhaled antigen, intrinsic, atopic (IgE mediated hypersensitivity)
early phase reaction of asthma?
bronchoconstriction, increased mucus production, vasodilation, increased vascular permeability
late phase reaction of asthma?
inflammation, epithelial damage, bronchoconstriction
symptoms of asthma?
chest tightness, wheezing, dysnpnoea, cough, sputum, increase in airflow obstruction, difficulty with exhalation
describe bronchiectasis
permanent destruction and dilation of the airways associated with severe infections or obstructions. it involves the loss of cilia, increased mucus and destruction of walls
symptoms of bronchiectasis
persistent cough, purulent sputum increase, haemoptysis
clinical features of restrictive lung disease?
dyspnoea, tachypnea, end-inspiratory crackles, cyanosis without wheezing, reduction in gas diffusing capacity, lung volume and compliance
morphology of restrictive lung disease?
bilateral infiltrtive lesions on x-ray, scarring and gross destruction of lung
describe pulmonary embolism
a vascular disorder; blockage of the main or branch of pulmonary artery by an embolus
clinical course of pulmonary embolism?
abrupt onset of pleuritic chest pain, SOB, hypoxia, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular failure
describe pulmonary oedema
accumulation of fluid in the air spaces and parenchyma of the lungs
most common cause of pulmonary oedema?
left sided heart failure
morphology of pulmonary oedema
initial fluid accumulation in basal regions, enlarged alveolar capillaries, intra-alveolar granular pink precipitate, alveolar microhaemorrhages, and heavy, wet lungs
clinical features of pulmonary oedema?
SOB, pink frothy sputum, characteristic CXR findings
examples of miscellaneous problems
expansion; pneumothorax or atelectasis and respiratory failure
