Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
Supply the body tissues with oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide generated by cellular metabolism
What are the four respiratory processes?
- Pulmonary Ventilation
- External Respiration
- Transport of respiratory gasses in the blood
- Internal Respiration
The airways are comprised of:
- Nose
- Nasal Cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
- Alveoli
The airways are divided into what two zones?
Respiratory and conducting zone
These are also known as windpipes.
Trachea
What are the 4 layers of the trachea?
- Mucosa – with goblet cells and cilia
- Submucosa
- Cartilaginous Layer
- Adventitia
This is referred to as the site of gas exchange. It involves tiny, hollow sacs that open into the lumens of the airways.
Alveoli
These are simple layer or flat epithelial cells that line the alveoli.
Type I alveolar cells
This is the surfactant and detergent-like substance that lines the alveoli.
Type II alveolar cells
These permit air flow between alveoli.
Alveolar pores
These are thin, double-walled serosa.
Pleurae
This covers the thoracic wall and superior face of diaphragm.
Parietal pleura
This covers the lung’s external surface.
Visceral pleura
This provides lubrication of lung to prevent friction while breathing
Pleural fluid
This is an infection or inflammation, which results in roughing of pleura.
Pleurisy
What is the formula for ventilation and air flow?
F = Change in P/R
What law states:
“At a constant temperature, the pressure of a gas varies inversely with its volume”
Boyle’s Law
This involves the rise and fall with breathing; always equalized with atmospheric pressure.
Intrapulmonary Pressure
This fluctuates with breathing.
Intrapleural Pressure
What happens to the lungs of Pip = Ppul?
The lungs will collapse.
What are the two major determinants of lung compliance?
- Stretchability of lung tissues
- Surface tension at air-water interfaces within alveoli
What happens to surface tension with the presence of surfactant?
Surface tension decreases
Airway resistance changes in response to what three factors?
- Physical
- Neural
- Chemical Factors
Greatest airway resistance is found in __________
Medium sized bronchi
This is the lack of surfactant in babies, especially those born prematurely
Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)
This is the chronic inflammation of airways.
Asthma
This causes severe difficulties not only in ventilation, but in oxygenation of the blood
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Overdose of morphine, barbiturates or alcohol → suppresses __________ in __________ group and stops __________
Neurons; Ventral respiratory; Respiration
These ventilatory responses are involved in coughing and sneezing.
Protective reflexes
These ventilatory responses are involved in holding one’s breath and laughing.
Voluntary control of breathing
This type of hypoxia manifests when there is poor O2 delivery due to too few RBCs or abnormal Hb
Anemic Hypoxia
This type of hypoxia manifests with impaired blood circulation
Ischemic Hypoxia
This type of hypoxia manifests when body cells can’t use O2.
Histotoxic Hypoxia
This type of hypoxia manifests with reduced arterial O2 due to lack of oxygenated air, pulmonary problems
Hypoxemic Hypoxia
This is a type of hypoxemic hypoxia; the leading cause of death from fire.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Confusion, respiratory distress, and skin becomes cherry red
This is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one breath.
Tidal Volume (500 mL)
This is the amount of air in excess of tidal inspiration that can be inhaled with maximum effort.
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (3000 mL)
This is the amount of air in excess of tidal expiration that can be exhaled with maximum effort
Expiratory Reserve Volume (1200 mL)
This is the amount of air remaining in the lungs after maximum expiration; keeps alveoli inflated between breaths and mixes with fresh air on next inspiration
Residual Volume (1200 mL)
This is the amount of air that can be exhaled with maximum effort after maximum inspiration; used to assess strength of thoracic muscles as well as pulmonary function
Vital Capacity; ERV + TV + IRV (4700 mL)
This is the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal expiration
Inspiratory Capacity; TV + IRV (3500 mL)
This is the amount of air remaining in the lungs adter a normal tidal expiration
Functional Residual Capacity; RV + ERV (2400 mL)
This is the maximum amount of air the lungs can contain
Total Lung Capacity; RV + VC (5900 mL)
