Respiratory Physiology 1

Question 1

List the 4 functions of the respiratory system

Answer 1

• Gas exchange
• Acid base balance
• Protection from infection
• Communication (via speech)

Question 2

Describe what is meant by the ‘pulmonary circulation’

Answer 2

Circulation between your heart and lungs. It picks up oxygen from the lungs and brings CO2 to the lungs

Question 3

Describe what is meant by ‘systemic circulation’

Answer 3

Circulation which goes to all areas of the body. It delivers oxygen to the peripheral tissue and collects CO2 from the peripheral tissue

Question 4

Describe ‘cellular respiration’

Answer 4

A biochemical process which releases energy from glucose. This process requires oxygen and is dependant on external respiration

Question 5

Describe ‘external respiration’

Answer 5

The movement of gasses between the air and the body’s cells via both systems

Question 6

does the pulmonary artery contain oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?

Answer 6

Deoxygenated

Question 7

Does the pulmonary vein contain oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?

Answer 7

Oxygenated

Question 8

What is the normal respiration rate?

Answer 8

12-18 breaths per min at rest. Can go up to 40-45 at max

Question 9

Describe, in a steady state, the net volume of gas exchanged in the lungs per min

Answer 9

• 250ml/min of Oxygen

- 200ml/min of CO2

Question 10

Describe the 3 gas exchanges in the respiratory system

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What comprises the Upper respiratory tract?

Answer 11

Nose
Pharynx
Epilogottis
Larynx

Question 12

What comprises the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 12

Trachea
Bronchus
Lung

Question 13

Describe the Pharynx

Answer 13

• Its the throat
• Common conduit shared with the digestive system
• Splits at level of larynx - either respiratory system or oesophagus

Question 14

Describe the Epilogottis

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Describe the larynx

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Describe the trachea

Answer 16

• Main airway
• Travel from larynx and breaks off at the sternal angle
• Underneath sternal angle trachea splits into 2 bronchi

Question 17

Describe the gross structure of the bronchus

Answer 17

Starts with 2 primary bronchi

• splits 24x after this
• This forms lung tissue
• End in sacks called alveoli

Question 18

How many lobes are on the right side of the lung? and what are their names?

Answer 18

3 lobes:

• Superior
• Middle
• Inferior

Question 19

How many fissures are on the right side of the lung and what are they called?

Answer 19

2 fissures:

• Horizontal
• Inferior

Question 20

How many lobes are on the left side of the lung and what are their names?

Answer 20

2 lobes:

• Superior
• Inferior

Question 21

How many fissures are on the left side of the lung and what are their names?

Answer 21

1 fissure:

-Oblique

Question 22

How many secondary bronchi are on the left and right side of the lung?

Answer 22

• 2 primary bronchi on left

- 3 primary bronchi on right

Question 23

Describe the meaning of patency in terms of the respiratory system

Answer 23

Maintaining an airway that is clear and that gas may move unimpeded

Question 24

What do bronchioles not contain which differentiates them from the trachea?

Answer 24

Cartilaginous rings

Question 25

How is patency within the bronchioles contained?

Answer 25

By physical forces within the thorax

Question 26

Where does gas exchange take place?

Answer 26

Within the alveoli

Question 27

Define ‘dead space’

Answer 27

A volume of air located within the respiratory system which cannot participate within gas exchange

Question 28

Where is the greatest resistance within the respiratory system?

Answer 28

Within upper airway and trachea

Question 29

Describe the relationship between the diameter of the airway and the resistance

Answer 29

• Contraction decreases diameter = increase resistance

- Relaxation Increase diameter = decreases resistance

Question 30

What do bronchiole airways contain which allow them to contract/relax

Answer 30

Bronchiole smooth muscle

Question 31

Gas exchange occurs between what blood vessel and what respiratory structure?

Answer 31

Capillaries and alveoli

Question 32

What are alveoli covered in and what is its effect?

Answer 32

Elastic fibres which allow for expansion and deflation

Question 33

Explain as to why respiration is passive

Answer 33

As elastic fibres within the alveoli stop contracting which causes the alveoli to deflate which causes expiration using no energy

Question 34

What are the two types of alveolar cells?

Answer 34

Type 1

Type 2

Question 35

Describe type 1 alveolar cells

Answer 35

• 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

Question 36

Describe type 2 alveolar cells

Answer 36

• responsible for surfactant

- Not involved in gas exchange