Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
Functions of the respiratory system
Gas exchange
Acid base balance
Protection from infection
Communication via speech
Main factors affection blood oxygen levels
Composition of inspired air
Alveolar ventialtion
Oxygen diffusion between alveoli and blood
Adequate perfusion of alveoli
Blood transport of pulmonary artery
Away from heart
Blood transport of pulmonary vein
Towards heart
Net volume of gas exchanged in the lungs
250ml/min oxygen, 200ml/min carbon dioxide
Respiration rate at rest
12-18 breaths/min, 40-45 at max.
Respiratory system pathway
Nose, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea, bronchus, bronchiole, alveoli
Function of nose
Warms and moistens air coming in
Function of epiglottis
Flap over trachea that prevent food entering
Function of larynx
Voice box that contains vocal chords
Division between upper and lower respiratory tract
Larynx which is the final structure of upper respiratory tract
Structure that maintains the patency of trachea and bronchi
C-shaped rings of cartilage
Impact of decreasing diameter of airway on airflow resistance
Airflow resistance increases. (vv)
Alveoli cells
Type I and II alveolar cells (pneumocytes) and macrophages
Function of type I alveolar cells
Gas exchange
Function of type II alveolar cells
Secrete surfactant
Function of elastic fibres of alveoli
Stretch during inspiration and coil to squeeze out air during expiration
Anatomical dead space
Gas in the upper airways that does not participate in gas exchange (150ml)
Functions of mucous
Moistens air
Traps particles
Provides large surface area for cilia to act on
Boyle’s gas law
States that the pressure exerted by a gas is inversely proportional to its volume
Number of and names of lobes of right lung
3 lobes
Superior, middle and inferior
Number of and names of lobes of left lung
2 lobes
Superior and inferior
Pleaural sac components
Visceral pleaural membrane, parietal pleural membrane and pleaural fluid
Visceral pleural membrane
Coats outer surface od the lungs
Pariteal pleaural membrane
Coats inner surface of the ribs
Pleaural fluid
(5ml)
Allows membranes to glide across each other and reduces friction.
Stops membranes separating so that the lungs are stuck to the rib cage and diaphragm.
Muscles of inspiration
External intercostal muscles, diaphragm, scalene and sternocleidomastoids.
Muscles of expiration
Internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles
Movement of gas
From high pressure to low pressure
Diaphragm during inspiration
Contacts so that thoracic volume increases
Diaphragm during expiration
Relaxes so that thoracic volume decrease.
Pump handle motion of intercostals
Increases anterior-posterior dimension of rib cage
Bucket handle motion of intercostals
Increases lateral dimension of rib cage.
Asthma
Over-reactive constriction of bronchial smooth muscles, increase airway resistance
Intra-thoracic (alveolar) pressure
Pressure inside the thoracic cavity. Negative or positive relative to atmospheric pressure
Intra-pleaural pressure
Pressure inside pleural cavity. Always negative relative to atmospheric pressure. Created by opposing pulls.
Transpulmonary pressure
Difference between alveolar and intra-pleural pressure. Always positive relative to atmospheric pressure
Changes of alveolar pressure relative to atmospheric pressure
Inspiration - negative
Expiration - positive
Changes of intra-pleural pressure relative to atmospheric pressure
Inspiration - more negative
Expiration - less negative
Tidal volume
The volume of air breathed out of lungs at each breath - 500ml
Expiratory reserve volume
The maximum volume of air which can be expelled from the lungs at the end of a normal expiration - 1100ml
Inspiratory reserve volume
The maximum volume of air which can be drawn into the lungs at the end of a normal inspiration - 3000ml
Residual volume
The volume of gas in the lungs at the end of a maximal expiration - 1200ml
Vital capacity
TV+IRV+ERV - 4600ml
Total lung capacity
VC+RV - 5800ml
Inspiratory capacity
TV+IRV - 3500ml
Functional residual capacity
ERV+RV - 2300ml
Ventilation
The movement of air in and out of lungs
Pulmonary ventilation
Total air movement in and out of lungs
Alveolar ventialtion
Fresh air getting to alveoli and so available for gas exchange
Volume of air participating in gas exchange at rest
350 out of 500ml due to anatomical dead space.
Factors effecting ventilation
Depth of breathing
Respiratory rate
Dalton’s law
States that the total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the pressure of the individual gases
Partial pressure
The percentage of individual gas in gas mixture multiplied by the total pressure
Normal alveolar pressure of oxygen
100mmHg (13.3kPa)
Normal alveolar pressure iof carbon dioxide
40mmHg (5.3kPa)
Surfactant
Detergent like fluid that reduced surface tension on alveolar surface membrane
Surface tension
Attraction of one water molecule to another
Effect of surfactant
Reduces tendency for alveoli to collapse
Increases lung compliance
Reduces lung’s tendency to recoil
Makes work of breathing easier
Reason surfactant more effective in small alveoli
Because surfactant molecules come closer together and are therefore more concentrated
Saline
Liquid which inflates lungs in utero - less change in pressure required as do not need to overcome surface tension
Compliance
Change in volume relative to change in pressure
High compliance
Large increase in lung volume for a small decrease in intra-pleural pressure
Low compliance
Small increase in lung volume for a large decrease in intra-pleural pressure.
Compliance during inspiration compared to expiration
Lower due to tissue inertia - starting stretch required to open up compressed airways
Compliance in emphysema
Reduced as loss of elastic tissue means expiration requires effort
Compliance in fibrosis
Reduced due to inert fibrous tissue increasing effort of inspiration
Effect of height of alveolar ventilation
Alveolar ventilation declines with height from base to apex
Effect of height on compliance
Compliance declines with height from base to apex
Obstructive lung disease
Obstruction of air flow through airways, especially on expiration