Respiratory Physiology 1 Flashcards
List the 4 functions of the respiratory system
- Gas exchange
- Acid base balance
- Protection from infection
- Communication (via speech)
Describe what is meant by the ‘pulmonary circulation’
Circulation between your heart and lungs. It picks up oxygen from the lungs and brings CO2 to the lungs
Describe what is meant by ‘systemic circulation’
Circulation which goes to all areas of the body. It delivers oxygen to the peripheral tissue and collects CO2 from the peripheral tissue
Describe ‘cellular respiration’
A biochemical process which releases energy from glucose. This process requires oxygen and is dependant on external respiration
Describe ‘external respiration’
The movement of gasses between the air and the body’s cells via both systems
does the pulmonary artery contain oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?
Deoxygenated
Does the pulmonary vein contain oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?
Oxygenated
What is the normal respiration rate?
12-18 breaths per min at rest. Can go up to 40-45 at max
Describe, in a steady state, the net volume of gas exchanged in the lungs per min
- 250ml/min of Oxygen
- 200ml/min of CO2
Describe the 3 gas exchanges in the respiratory system
Exchange 1: between atmosphere and lung
Exchange 2: Between lung and blood
The gas is then transported within the blood
Exchange 3: Between blood and cells
What comprises the Upper respiratory tract?
Nose
Pharynx
Epilogottis
Larynx
What comprises the lower respiratory tract?
Trachea
Bronchus
Lung
Describe the Pharynx
- Its the throat
- Common conduit shared with the digestive system
- Splits at level of larynx - either respiratory system or oesophagus
Describe the Epilogottis
- Small flap of tissue
- folds over the trachea
- prevents food from entering when you swallow
- Located between larynx + Pharynx
- Open most of the time, closes when you swallow
Describe the larynx
- Vocal chords which vibrate to produce sound
- sits ontop of the trachea
- Only part of the upper respiratory tract that is not shared with the digestive system
Describe the trachea
- Main airway
- Travel from larynx and breaks off at the sternal angle
- Underneath sternal angle trachea splits into 2 bronchi
Describe the gross structure of the bronchus
Starts with 2 primary bronchi
- splits 24x after this
- This forms lung tissue
- End in sacks called alveoli
How many lobes are on the right side of the lung? and what are their names?
3 lobes:
- Superior
- Middle
- Inferior
How many fissures are on the right side of the lung and what are they called?
2 fissures:
- Horizontal
- Inferior
How many lobes are on the left side of the lung and what are their names?
2 lobes:
- Superior
- Inferior
How many fissures are on the left side of the lung and what are their names?
1 fissure:
-Oblique
How many secondary bronchi are on the left and right side of the lung?
- 2 primary bronchi on left
- 3 primary bronchi on right
Describe the meaning of patency in terms of the respiratory system
Maintaining an airway that is clear and that gas may move unimpeded
What do bronchioles not contain which differentiates them from the trachea?
Cartilaginous rings
How is patency within the bronchioles contained?
By physical forces within the thorax
Where does gas exchange take place?
Within the alveoli
Define ‘dead space’
A volume of air located within the respiratory system which cannot participate within gas exchange
Where is the greatest resistance within the respiratory system?
Within upper airway and trachea
Describe the relationship between the diameter of the airway and the resistance
- Contraction decreases diameter = increase resistance
- Relaxation Increase diameter = decreases resistance
What do bronchiole airways contain which allow them to contract/relax
Bronchiole smooth muscle
Gas exchange occurs between what blood vessel and what respiratory structure?
Capillaries and alveoli
What are alveoli covered in and what is its effect?
Elastic fibres which allow for expansion and deflation
Explain as to why respiration is passive
As elastic fibres within the alveoli stop contracting which causes the alveoli to deflate which causes expiration using no energy
What are the two types of alveolar cells?
Type 1
Type 2
Describe type 1 alveolar cells
- Involved in gas exchange
- Capillaries line the top as to reduce diffusion distance for gas
- Elastic fibres never sit between type 1 alveolar cells and capillaries
Describe type 2 alveolar cells
- responsible for surfactant
- Not involved in gas exchange
