Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
On which side of the bronchial tree does aspiration pneumonia & choking occur more often and why?
R side is more vertical & shorter
Which zone in the bronchial tree is where air is pushed through but there’s no respiration (also known as dead space)?
Conducting zone
At what level of the bronchial tree does bronchitis occur?
Respiratory bronchioles (17-19)
Describe the order of the bronchial tree.
Conducting zone: larynx, trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, small bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles. Respiratory zone: resp bronchioles, alveolar sac.
What type of patient can hypercapnia & hypoxemia be seen in?
COPD
What 4 muscles promote pressure gradient (lower pressure in thoracic)?
- Intercostals
- Diaphragm
- SCM
- Scalenes
Describe the difference between levels of atmospheric pressure, intrapulmonic pressure, & intrapleural pressure at rest.
- Atmospheric = intrapulmonic
- Intrapleural less than both
What is the significance of intrapleural pressure being lower than atmospheric during inspiration?
Keeps lungs expanded
Describe the difference between levels of atmospheric pressure, intrapulmonic pressure, & intrapleural pressure at inspiration.
Both intrapulmonic & intrapleural lower than atmospheric but intrapleural is the lowest out of the 3.
Describe the difference between levels of atmospheric pressure, intrapulmonic pressure, & intrapleural pressure at expiration.
- Intrapulmonic higher than atmospheric
- Intrapleural lower than both
What is minute ventilation & what is needed for there to be an adequate level of it?
- In/out in a min (tidal volume x RR)
- Alveoli need to be ventilated, lungs must expand & collapse to move enough volume, air must flow through airways @ good rate, minimal barrier b/t alveolar air & pulm capillary for O2.
Alveoli are better ventilated when there’s an (increase/decrease) in RR & an (increase/decrease) in tidal volume.
- Decrease
- Increase
What is the significance of RBCs needing to pass close to the alveolar-capillary wall?
Because O2 doesn’t diffuse as well or fast as CO2.
How does pulmonary edema or any disease that has fluid/scar tissue cause hypoxemia?
Makes space b/t capillaries & alveoli bigger so blood goes through capillaries slower.
What are levels of CO2 influenced by mostly? How about O2?
- CO2: changes in vent
- O2: changes in vent & diffusion
What are the 2 compartments of the trunk & what structure regulates the pressure?
- Thorax & abd
- Diaphragm
What seals the trunk at both ends?
Larynx & PF muscles
How does intrathoracic pressure change when a patient is holding their breath & lifting heavy? How does this affect venous return?
Increase intrathoracic pressure –> decrease venous return
What lowers surface tension in the lungs to allow it to expand since it has a tendency to collapse?
Surfactant
What is functional residual capacity?
- Amount of air left in lung after normal exhalation
- Balance point of lung recoil & chest wall forces
Amount of opposing forces between thorax & lungs causes ________ intrapleural pressure.
Negative
What type of conditions would paralyze surfactant producing cells which would lead to a collapsed lung?
Burn, inhalation injury, acute distress
If intra-alveolar pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure, what can occur with a deep breath?
Air can get all the way to alveoli.
What type of pressure is due to interaction of lung & chest wall forces that is usually negative but can be positive with effusions, scarring, & inflammation?
Intrapleural
