Respiratory Physiology 4 Flashcards
Define ‘perfusion’
Blood flow through pulmonary circulation
What value is the ideal ratio for ventilation to perfusion?
Close to 1 as possible
What ensured the ventilation perfusion remains as close to 1 as possible?
RSA - respiratory sinus arrhythmia
Occurs mainly due to increased vagal activity during expiratory phase
Both blood flow and ventilation _______ with height across the lung
Decrease
Is blood flow or ventilation higher at the base of the lungs?
Base
Why is blood flow higher at the base of the lungs than ventilation?
As arterial pressure exceeds alveolar pressure
Describe the state of blood flow at the apex of the lungs and explain why this is?
Blood flow is low as arterial pressure is less than alveolar pressure
While both decline, blood flow _____ faster than ventilation, meaning blood flow is ____ than ventilation at the base and ventilation is _____ than blood flow at the apex
While both in decline, blood flow declines faster than ventilation meaning blood flow is more that ventilation at the base and ventilation is more than blood flow at the apex
Where does the largest ventilation perfusion mismatch occur?
At the apex
Define ‘shunt’
Where blood is moved from the right side of the heart to the left side of the heart without underground gas exchange
When do shunts take place?
When blood flows through area of lung which has been restricted in some way which reduces gas exchange
Describe what happens to blood flow where there is tissue hypoxia within the lungs
The smooth muscle in the blood vessels going to that area constrict -> reducing amount of blood to poorly ventilated area and increasing amount of blood going to well ventilated area
Describe what happens to blood flow when there is tissue hypoxia within the systemic circulation
The smooth muscle in the blood vessels going to that area dilate -> increase the amount of blood to the poorly ventilated area and decreasing amount of blood going to well ventilated area
Describe the effect of an increase in PCO2 in relation to bronchial smooth muscle
Bronchiole smooth muscle dilated which helps to improve the ventilation in the poorly ventilated area of the lung
What causes ventilation to be higher than blood flow
Alveolar dead space
Where in the lung is it typical for ventilation > perfusion
- Occurs to small extent at apex of normal lung.
- Occurs pathologically in pulmonary embolus
Describe what happens to the smooth muscle within the blood vessels and the bronchioles when ventilation > perfusion
Opposite of shunt:
- Alveolar PO2 rises, PCO2 falls
- Pulmonary vasodilation
- Bronchial constriction
How much oxygen dissolves per litre of plasma?
3ml
What is the majority of oxygen bound to in the blood?
Iron within the haemoglobin
How much oxygen is present per litre of blood?
200ml per litre of whole blood
How much oxygen per litre of blood is carried within haemoglobin
197ml per litre of whole blood
Describe the two transport methods of carbon dioxide and state the amount of carbon dioxide which travels each way
77% of Carbon dioxide is transported in solution in plasma
23% is stored within the haemoglobin
What is the oxygen demand of resting tissues per min
250ml per min
What % of arterial oxygen is extracted by peripheral tissues at rest?
25%