respiratory physiology Flashcards
3 main processes of respiration
1) pulmonary in and out of lungs (breathing)
2) gas exchange (exchange of O2 and CO2)
3) transport (of CO2 and O2 in the blood)
pulmonary ventilation=
inhalation and exhalation
inhalation and exhalation is driven by?
pressure gradients (high pressure movement to low pressure)
during ventilation, direction of airflow is determined by the differences between?
atmospheric pressure vs. intrapulmonary pressure
atmospheric pressure is?
pressure exerted by air in atmosphere
760mmHg
intrapulmonary pressure is?
air pressure in lungs
-varies, changes with lung volume
what is boyles law?
if you decrease the volume containing a gas, the pressure will rise. increase volume, pressure will decrease.
what is inhalation?
expansion of thoracic cavity, the volume increases which creates lower pressure in the lungs.
-active process where external intercostals and the diaphragm contracts
pressure in lungs becomes 758mmHg which is enough to suck in the air!!
what is exhalation?
passive process during quick breathing (eupnea)
- muscles relax and lungs recoil
- air pushed out as lung volume decreases
what is forced breathing (hyperpnea)
active process where intercostals and abdominal muscles contract
what is surface tension?
fluid bond between pleural membranes that keep lungs “stuck” to the thoracic wall during ventilation
related to the property of water
what prevents the lungs from collapsing?
the pressure in pleural cavity is less than the pressure in the alveoli of the lungs (intrapleural pressure is 756mmHg) intrapulmonary pressure is 760mmHg
non-respiratory air movements
coughing, sneezing, crying, laughing, hiccups, yawn
factors affecting ventilation?
- airway resistance
- surface tension
- lung compliance
what is airway resistance?
friction along respiratory passages
-highest in bronchioles (small diameter)
more strenuous breathing
what is surface tension?
attraction between water molecules (polar bonds) that creates a tension at the surface
- liquid film covers the alveolar walls.
- must overcome surface tension to expand!
what is surfactant?
detergent-like secretion produced by type II alveolar septal cells
-reduces surface tension-> alveoli expand more easily
what is lung compliance?
compliance= ease of expansion
affected by-
amount of surfactant, elasticity of C.T, flexibility of ribcage, obesity
what is gas exchange?
external and internal respiration diffusing down pressure gradients
what is partial pressure?
concentration of gas expressed as a percentage of atmospheric pressure
-at sea level= 760mmHg