Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
The conducting zone transports gas to the lungs and is from the nose to the:
Terminal bronchioles
The respiratory zone is the site of gas exchange and consists of:
respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs
How many generation of airways do you find int he respiratory system?
23
How many alveoli are present in the respiratory system?
500 million
What is the sympathetic and parasympathetic effect on the smooth muscles of the airways?
Sympathetic: smooth muscle relaxation via B2 receptors
Parasympathetic: smooth muscle contraction via muscaric receptors
Type of pneumocyte which composes 96-98% of surface area, and is for gas exchange
Type I pneumocytes
Type of pneumocyte which composes 2-4% of surface area, and is for surfactant production
Type II pneumocytes
Alveolar macrophages can convert into what in CHF:
Siderophages/ Hemosiderin-laden macrophages
Cells that produce mucus:
Goblet cells, submucosal glands
May play a role in epithelial regeneration after injury by secreting protective GAGs
Clara cells/Club cells
What is the Reid’s index?
Ratio of submucosal gland layer to the alveolar wall.
In COPD, Reid’s index is >0.4 indicating hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the submucosal gland layer
Dual blood supply of the lungs:
- Pulmonary (deoxygenated blood) circulation
- Bronchial (oxygenated blood) circulation (1/3 returns to R atrium via bronchial veins, 2/3 returns to L atrium via pulmonary veins)
Amount of air inspired/expired during quiet breathing
Tidal volume
Maintains oxygenation between breaths
Residual volume
Sum of IRV, TV, ERV
Vital capacity
Sum of ERV and RV
Functional residual capacity
Sum of IRV and TV
Inspiratory capacity
Sum of all 4 lung volumes
Total lung capacity (Normal: 6L)
Cannot be measured directly by spirometry
Residual volume (and all lung capacities that include residual volume)
Equilibrium/resting volume of the lung
Functional residual capacity
Marker for lung function
Functional residual capacity
Difference in lung volumes/capacities among sexes
Lung volumes and capacities 20-25% lower in females
Factors that increase vital capacity
Body size, male sex, conditioning, youth
Total volume of the lungs that does not participate in gas exchange; anatomic dead space + alveolar dead space
Physiologic dead space
Air in the conducting zone is called the anatomic dead space. What is the normal value in healthy humans?
150mL
Air in the alveoli not participating in gas exchange due to V/Q mismatch.
Alveolar dead space (Normal value in healthy humans is 0 mL)
Total rate of air movement in/out of the lungs
Minute ventilation
MV = VT x RR
Minute ventilation corrected for physiologic dead space
Alveolar ventilation
VA = (VT-VD) x RR
25/M, healthy, 70kg with a RR of 20bpm. What is the minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation?
MV = 500mL x 20 = 10, 000mL or 10L VA = (500mL - 150mL) x 20 = 7,000mL or 7L
50/M with TV = 500mL, RR = 20bpm, PCO2 arterial = 40mmHg, PCO2 expired air = 30mmHg. What is the minute ventilation? What is the alveolar ventilation? What percent of TV reaches the alveoli? What percent of TV is dead space?
MV = 500mL x 20 = 10,000 mL or 10L
Physiologic dead space = (0.5L) x (40mmHg - 30mmHg)/40mmHg = 0.125L
VA = (0.5L - 0.125L) x 20 = 7.5L
Percent reaching the alveoli: (0.5 - 0.125)/0.5 = 0.75 = 75%
Dead space: 0.125/0.5 = 0.25 = 25%
What happens to FEV1 and FVC in patients with obstructive and restrictive lung diseases?
Decrease
What is the FEV1/FVC ratio of a healthy person?
0.8 / 80%
What happens to the FEV1/FVC ratio in patients with obstructive and restrictive lung diseases respectively?
Obstructive: Decrease
Restrictive: Normal to increase
Normal inspiration is an active process carried out by what muscle?
Diaphragm
Predominant muscle in forced expiration
External intercostals
Normal expiration is a passive process. However, forced expiration is predominantly done by what muscle:
Internal intercostals
In obstructive lung disease, the decrease in FEV1 is ___ than decrease in FVC
greater
In restrictive lung disease, the decrease in FEV1 is ___ than decrease in FVC
less
In emphysema: Pathology is: loss of \_\_\_\_\_ fiber Compliance: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Elasticity: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ FRC: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Effects: \_\_\_\_\_\_-shaped chest
elastic increased decreased increased barrel
In fibrosis: Pathology is: \_\_\_\_\_\_ of lung tissue Compliance: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Elasticity: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ FRC: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
stiffening
decreased
increased
decreased
Force cause by water molecules at the air-liquid interface that tends to minimize surface area
Surface tension
2 reasons why preterm babies have large collapsing pressure and are prone to atelectasis:
Alveolar radius is 50 micrometers (adult = 100 micrometers)
Lack mature surfactant
Cells that produce surfactant
Type II pneumocytes
Main component of surfactant
Water
Active component of surfactant
Dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)
Mechanism for DPPC reducing surface tension
Amphipathic nature
Effects of surfactant on lung compliance
Increase
Start of surfactant production
24th week AOG
Maturation of surfactant
35th week AOG
Test for surfactant
Amniotic L:S ratio