Respiratory Physiology

Question 1

What is the main function of the respiratory system?

Answer 1

Supply the body tissues with oxygen and dispose of carbon dioxide generated by cellular metabolism

Question 2

What are the four respiratory processes?

Answer 2

1. Pulmonary Ventilation
2. External Respiration
3. Transport of respiratory gasses in the blood
4. Internal Respiration

Question 3

The airways are comprised of:

Answer 3

1. Nose
2. Nasal Cavity
3. Pharynx
4. Larynx
5. Trachea
6. Bronchi
7. Lungs
8. Alveoli

Question 4

The airways are divided into what two zones?

Answer 4

Respiratory and conducting zone

Question 5

These are also known as windpipes.

Answer 5

Trachea

Question 6

What are the 4 layers of the trachea?

Answer 6

1. Mucosa – with goblet cells and cilia
2. Submucosa
3. Cartilaginous Layer
4. Adventitia

Question 7

This is referred to as the site of gas exchange. It involves tiny, hollow sacs that open into the lumens of the airways.

Answer 7

Alveoli

Question 8

These are simple layer or flat epithelial cells that line the alveoli.

Answer 8

Type I alveolar cells

Question 9

This is the surfactant and detergent-like substance that lines the alveoli.

Answer 9

Type II alveolar cells

Question 10

These permit air flow between alveoli.

Answer 10

Alveolar pores

Question 11

These are thin, double-walled serosa.

Answer 11

Pleurae

Question 12

This covers the thoracic wall and superior face of diaphragm.

Answer 12

Parietal pleura

Question 13

This covers the lung’s external surface.

Answer 13

Visceral pleura

Question 14

This provides lubrication of lung to prevent friction while breathing

Answer 14

Pleural fluid

Question 15

This is an infection or inflammation, which results in roughing of pleura.

Answer 15

Pleurisy

Question 16

What is the formula for ventilation and air flow?

Answer 16

F = Change in P/R

Question 17

What law states:

“At a constant temperature, the pressure of a gas varies inversely with its volume”

Answer 17

Boyle’s Law

Question 18

This involves the rise and fall with breathing; always equalized with atmospheric pressure.

Answer 18

Intrapulmonary Pressure

Question 19

This fluctuates with breathing.

Answer 19

Intrapleural Pressure

Question 20

What happens to the lungs of Pip = Ppul?

Answer 20

The lungs will collapse.

Question 21

What are the two major determinants of lung compliance?

Answer 21

1. Stretchability of lung tissues
2. Surface tension at air-water interfaces within alveoli

Question 22

What happens to surface tension with the presence of surfactant?

Answer 22

Surface tension decreases

Question 23

Airway resistance changes in response to what three factors?

Answer 23

1. Physical
2. Neural
3. Chemical Factors

Question 24

Greatest airway resistance is found in __________

Answer 24

Medium sized bronchi

Question 25

This is the lack of surfactant in babies, especially those born prematurely

Answer 25

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

Question 26

This is the chronic inflammation of airways.

Answer 26

Asthma

Question 27

This causes severe difficulties not only in ventilation, but in oxygenation of the blood

Answer 27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Question 28

Overdose of morphine, barbiturates or alcohol → suppresses __________ in __________ group and stops __________

Answer 28

Neurons; Ventral respiratory; Respiration

Question 29

These ventilatory responses are involved in coughing and sneezing.

Answer 29

Protective reflexes

Question 30

These ventilatory responses are involved in holding one’s breath and laughing.

Answer 30

Voluntary control of breathing

Question 31

This type of hypoxia manifests when there is poor O2 delivery due to too few RBCs or abnormal Hb

Answer 31

Anemic Hypoxia

Question 32

This type of hypoxia manifests with impaired blood circulation

Answer 32

Ischemic Hypoxia

Question 33

This type of hypoxia manifests when body cells can’t use O2.

Answer 33

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Question 34

This type of hypoxia manifests with reduced arterial O2 due to lack of oxygenated air, pulmonary problems

Answer 34

Hypoxemic Hypoxia

Question 35

This is a type of hypoxemic hypoxia; the leading cause of death from fire.

Answer 35

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Question 36

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 36

Confusion, respiratory distress, and skin becomes cherry red

Question 37

This is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled in one breath.

Answer 37

Tidal Volume (500 mL)

Question 38

This is the amount of air in excess of tidal inspiration that can be inhaled with maximum effort.

Answer 38

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (3000 mL)

Question 39

This is the amount of air in excess of tidal expiration that can be exhaled with maximum effort

Answer 39

Expiratory Reserve Volume (1200 mL)

Question 40

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

Answer 40

Residual Volume (1200 mL)

Question 41

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

Answer 41

Vital Capacity; ERV + TV + IRV (4700 mL)

Question 42

This is the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal expiration

Answer 42

Inspiratory Capacity; TV + IRV (3500 mL)

Question 43

This is the amount of air remaining in the lungs adter a normal tidal expiration

Answer 43

Functional Residual Capacity; RV + ERV (2400 mL)

Question 44

This is the maximum amount of air the lungs can contain

Answer 44

Total Lung Capacity; RV + VC (5900 mL)