Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
functions of the respiratory system
1: oxygenation of blood
2: removal of carbon dioxide
3: control of acid-base balance
4: production of vocalization
respiration
=process of delivering O2 to cells and removing by-product of metabolism (CO2)
includes gas exchange in the lungs, circulation of gases through blood stream and transfer of gases at cellular level.
respiratory system
Pulmonary ventilation
-inflow/outflow of air in the lung space
External pulmonary ventilation:
-exchange of gases between lungs and blood
Internal tissue respiration:
-exchange of gases between blood and tissues
upper respiratory system
Nose/mouth
-filters, humidifies, warms/cools
Pharynx
- vocal cords
- conduit to larynx and trachea
*mouth breathers are at a disadvantage- don’t get nose benefits
lower respiratory system
LARYNX:
- epiglottis
- cricoid: complete cartilage ring- provides attachments for muscles, ligs. involved in opening and closing airway and speech production
TRACHEA
BRONCHI
LOBES
anatomy acinus
-alveolar walls contain 2 types of cells
Type I and II
Type I alveolar cells
squamous cells where gas exchange occurs
Type II alveolar cells
produce surfactant that lowers surface tension and helps keep alveoli open and helps them to expand more easily
- surface tension between water and air makes alveoli collapse. to counteract, type II cells produce surfactant to keep it open.
- big breaths produce more surfactant
muscle components of respiration
1: inspiration
2: expiration
3: accessory
inspiration muscles
1: diaphragm
2: external intercostals
3: interchondral intercostals
expiration muscles
1: abdominals
2: internal intercostals (except interchondral portion)
accessory respiration muscles
1: scalenes
2: sternocliedomastoid
3: serratus anterior & pecs
diaphragm
- dome shaped musculofibrous septum
- separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity
- convex upper surface forming thoracic floor
- concave under surface forming abdominal roof
- innervated by phrenic nerve (C3-C5)
-optimal length-tension ratio with max tension at FRC (normal resting lung volume)
inspiration
Intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract to expand the chest with inhalation:
- diaphragm flattens and moves downward
- intercostals move ribs upward and outward
Increased size of chest decreases intrapulmonary pressure so air from outside (atmospheric pressure) is not at higher pressure gradient and rushes inward.
exhalation in quiet breathing
- passive process
- inspiratory muscles relax to their resting position
- results from recoil of lungs and chest wall
- size of chest decreases
- intrapulmonary pressure increases and air flows out of lungs
exhalation during exertion, forced expiration and coughing
- active contraction of the expiratory muscles (plus closure of the glottis during coughing)
- marked rise in intrathoracic pressure so that expiration occurs more rapidly and completely
pressure
intrapulmonary pressure
intrapleural pressure
transpulmonary pressure
intrapulmonary pressure
- pressure in the alveoli
- rises and falls with expiration/inspiration
- will equalize to atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg)
intrapleural pressure
- pressure in pleural cavity between parietal and visceral pleura
- 0.4 mmHg from the intrapulmonary pressure
transpulmonary pressure
difference between intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressures
lung compliance
Relates to elasticity of tissues (measured by pressure-volume curve)
chest wall compliance + lung compliance can change lung volumes
decreased lung compliance
lungs stiffer and more difficult to expand
increased lung compliance
lungs easier to distend
neurologic control of breathing
- largely automatic; however, can be voluntarily controlled.
- chemoreceptors near aorta and carotid arteries are sensitive to increase in CO2, acid concentration & decrease in PaO2. when receptors sense acidity or high CO2, they stimulate brain to increase the speed and depth of breathing.
2 mechanisms of neurologic breathing control
1: medulla- controls rate and depth of respiration
2: pons- moderates rhythm of inspiration/expiration
lung volumes
tidal volume
inspiratory reserve volume
expiratory reserve volume
residual volume
tidal volume (TV)
=volume of gas inspired or expired during each respiratory cycle- reflects depth of breathing
inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)
max amount of gas inspired from peak inspiratory tidal volume