Respiratory physiology and gas transport Flashcards

1
Q

Why is surface area important in the lungs

A

Surface area is key in the lungs because it allows for diffusion– there is more room for diffusion with more capillaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How many alveoli in the lungs?

A

300-500 million

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Right vs left lung anatomy

A

Right has 3 lobes, left has 2 lobes (notch for the heart)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which lung is larger

A

Right

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which pleura is on lungs and which is on ribs

A

Visceral pluera on lungs, parietal plura on wall of chest cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of the pleural cavity?

A

Space between parietal pleura on ribs and visceral plura on lungs- decreases friction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where is the pressure between the lungs and pleural cavity?

A

MUST have less pressure in the pleural cavity than the lungs at ALL times

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What happens if the pressure changes between the lungs and pleural cavity (and what is it usually)

A

Typically: Pressure in lungs is > than pressure in pleural cavity
When pressure in pleural cavity >than in lungs=pneumothorax.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What kind of pressure is the pressure between lungs and pleural cavity called

A

Negative pressure- MUST have more pressure in lungs than pleural space

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Path of air from nose to smallest structure

A

Nose–>pharynx–>larynx–>trachea–>main (primary) bronchus–> terminal bronchiole–>respiratory bronchiole–>Alveolar sac–>Alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Main function of nose

A

filters out bactera, viruses, dust

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is nasal mucus important for

A

Warms and moistens air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the makeup of blood supply and epithelium in the nose

A

Rich blood supply, thin epithelium– gives quick access to blood (good for drugs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is the nose better at handling cold dry air than the mouth?

A

Nose has mucus, which is better at cold dry air because mouth just has saliva

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Tissue makeup of trachea

A

Muscular tube with mucous membrane, supported by hyaline cartilage ring
- Made up of pseudostratified, cilliated epithelium from nose–>Top of bronchus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the function of hyaline cartilage in trachea

A

every time we breathe in, we create negative pressure in the trachea. The cartilage keeps our trachea from collapsing.
Additionally, if you swollow something too big in your esophagus, it expands, which could make trachea collapse (but hyaline prevents)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a key feature of and what is the inner layer of primary bronchi called

A

Has cartilage rings in it
Inner layer is ciliated epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How many divisions are there in bronchial tree

A

23 divisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe the anatomy of bronchioles (muscle, cartilage, etc)

A
  • No cartilage, smooth muscle to change airway size
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What occurs in SNS activation of the bronchioles and which receptor is responsible

A

Beta 2 receptors are activated, causing SNS activation and dialation of bronchioles (via relaxation of smooth muscle). Further inhibts goblet cells to inhibit secretions of mucus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe PNS activation of bronchioles

A

Constrict airway size, contract smooth muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the last passageway before the alveoli

A

alveolar ducts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are alveoli sourrounded by? Why?

A
  • Sourrounded by capillaries, function is gas exchange
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Function and structure of type 1 pneumocytes

A

They are the alveoli!
Simple squamous epithelium (1 layer, very flat) (epithelial tissue)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Function and structure of type 2 pneumocytes

A

Surfactant secretion- play protective roles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What types of organelles are on the surface of alveoli

A

Macrophages- present for protection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What type of cell type lines the nose through bronchus

A

pseudostratified, cilliated epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Where can you find psuedostratified, cilliated epithelium?

A

Top of nose thorough broncus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What type of cells are at the top of the bronchioles

A

simple columnar epithelial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What type of cells are found in bottom of bronchioles

A

simple cuboidal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What type of cells are in alveoli

A

simple squamous type 1 pneumocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Where can you find simple columnar epithelial tissue

A

top of bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Where can you find simple cuboidal tissue

A

bottom of bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Describe club cells function and structure

A

Progenitor cells- replace epithelal cells along the way- noncilliated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What defense secretions does the immune system have

A

IgA in mucous
Collectins (activate cells of innate immune system)
Defensins ( proteins- interact with pathogens and destroy them)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is the importance of cillia

A

move mucous- cillia move upwards and back to mouth to get anything that is cought out of

37
Q

What is the function of sensory neurons in the airway

A

coughing reflex

38
Q

PAMS and function

A

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages- resident macrophages of resipiratory tract

39
Q

What is surfactant released by

A

type 2 pneumocytes

40
Q

What does surfactant contain

A

lipids and proteins- acts like a detergent

41
Q

Where do phospholipids face in surfactant

A

Phospholipid heads face out into mucous (to water)
Tails are in air space

42
Q

Function of surfactant on a broad scale with alveoli

A

Hydrogen bonds pull water molecules together and the alveoli will collapse without surfactant. With surfactant, hydrogen bonds are disrupted and alveoli can remain inflated.

43
Q

What are the 3 parts of the diaphragm

A

Costal
Crural
Central tendon

44
Q

What part of diaphragm contracts when you vomit

A

costal part only

45
Q

Where are costal and crural parts of diaphragm

A

Costal: attach to ribs
Crural: Attach to vertebrae

46
Q

What controls the volume change of the lungs

A

the diaphragm accounts for 75% of the volume change when it contracts

47
Q

What is an important metabolic feature of the diaphragm

A

made of the most oxidative of any skeletal muscele- doesn’t get tired.

48
Q

What part of the diaphragm does the vena cava pierce

A

central tendon

49
Q

What do diaphragmatic crura wrap around

A

esophagus and then comes back to diaphragm

50
Q

Where is central tendon in diaphragm

A

in the middle between sides of costal part

51
Q

Where does central tendon attach to pericaridum

A

it’s woven into the pericardium and “one with it” (pericardium is superior, heart is directly superior )

52
Q

Where does air flow in terms of pressure

A

Always flows from higher pressure to lower pressure

53
Q

What is the relationship between volume and pressure

A

Inverse- More volume= less pressure

54
Q

Definition of boyle’s law

A

When the amount of gas in a space is constant, and the temperature remains constant, pressure and volume have an inverse relationship

55
Q

What is the relationship between volume and pressure in boyle’s law

A

Pressure is inverse to volume
If volume doubles, pressure cuts in half
if volume is cut in half, pressure doubles

56
Q

Describe what happens when inhaling/the diaphragm moves inferiorly

A

Diaphragm goes down when inhaling–> interpleural space volume increases–> pressure in that space decreases–>greater vaccum on lungs–>pulls lungs open
- occurs in inspiration

57
Q

Describe what happens when exhaling/the diaphragm moves superiorly

A

Diaphgram goes up–>decrease volume in pleural space–>Pressure in that space increases–> Smash the lungs back to be smaller
- occurs in expiration

58
Q

Which muscles are primarily relied on for passive inspiration

A

Diaphragm (contracting it)
External intercostals

59
Q

Is inspiration a passive or active process

A

Active- need to contract diaphragm and external intercostals

60
Q

Which muscles do we need for expiration

A

none! Passive process. We relax everything to let our ribs and diaphragm fall.
For forced expiration, we use internal intercostals and abdominal muscles

61
Q

What is compliance a measure of

A

the ability to stretch and expand lungs

62
Q

What is compliance affected by

A

Resistance, surface tension

63
Q

What does increased and decreased SNS activity do to resistance in the lungs

A

Increased activity: leads to dialation, allows for more stretching and leads to less resistance
Decreased activity: leads to constriction, more resistance.

64
Q

What is the main contributor to surface tension in the lungs

A

Surfactant- decreases surface tension and allow alveoli to stretch and recoil readily.
Premature babies and people with emphysema increase surface tension
- Decrease compliance (harder to open lungs)

65
Q

How do we measure lung compliance

A

pressure volume curves- inspire to an amount and then stop flow and measure pressure
- Pressure difference between outside and inside

66
Q

Which parts of the blood don’t go through pulmonary capillaries and therefore don’t get reoxygenated?

A

Bronchial blood flow (portion of bronchiole venous blood dumps into pulmonary vein
Coronary arteries in left side of heart- dump into veins that dump into left atrium

67
Q

What is the physiological shunt in lung blood flow?

A

2 portions of blood do not go through pulmonary capillaries and therefore don’t get reoxygenated
- Creates the 98% saturation of blood instead of 100%

68
Q

What is the normal saturation of blood

A

98% O2 saturation
- 2 parts of blood (physiological shunt amde of bronchial blood flow and coronary arteries) don’t go through right side of heart to be oxygenated in lungs)

69
Q

What occurs when the V/Q ratio is >.8

A

Blood flow is blocked- lots of ventelation into lungs but no blood/perfusion

70
Q

What causes V/Q >.8

A

Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary arteritis, TB that causes loss of capilary bed

71
Q

What occurs when the V/Q ratio is <.8

A

No ventelation is occuring/no air is reaching blood–> lots of blood flow, but no air in contact because air is backed up

72
Q

What causes a V/Q of <.8

A

Airway limitation (asthma, bronchitis)
Lung collapse
loss of elastic tissue (emphysema)

73
Q

What is a V/Q mismatch

A

Either the pulmonary ventelation or pulmonary blood flow is blocked and restricted, so we can’t fill up blood with oxygen for either reason. Leads to a V/Q ratio of either less than or greater than normal (.8)

74
Q

Why aren’t we constantly using the top portion of our lungs

A

The capillaries at the top of the lungs collapse because the alveoli have so much pressure in them, so the top part of the lungs doesn’t get blood perfusion (The V>Q– lots of air, no blood, ventelation but no perfusion)

75
Q

What is 98.5% of oxygen carried by and where is the remainding 1.5%

A

Most is carried in oxygen by hemoglobin
1.5% is dissolved in plasma

76
Q

How is CO2 carried

A

70% is carried in form of HCO3-
20% is carried by hemoglobin
10% dissolved in plasma

77
Q

What is the oxygen percentage of our atmosphere

A

20%- does not change–>always percentage of atmosphere

78
Q

Where is hardest place for oxygen transport

A

between arterial blood and interstitital space– no carrier, just need to diffuse through– big concentration difference to move the oxygen

79
Q

What is the bottleneck in oxygen cascade

A

arterial blood to interstitial space- space outside of capillaries, need to diffuse. Based on the O2 gradient.

80
Q

What is the end point of starting with less oxygen (i.e. if you’re on top of mount everest)

A

Much less oxygen at the start leads to a smaller push down the entire oxygen cascade–>less oxygen in mitochondria when we start out with less

81
Q

Hemoglobin is 6x more powerful than plasma proteins as a buffer. What is the difference bewteen these?

A

Histadine residues (not carboxyl and amino)

82
Q

The Response by the buffering system if pH increases:

  • What does the buffer system do?
  • Which way does the equation move?
  • Which way does this move pH?
A

You have less H+ ions if pH increases.

1) use the acid to donate H+ ion

2) equation goes right (donates H+)

3) back down

CO2 + H2O <-> H2CO3 <-> H+ + HCO3-

83
Q

The Response by the buffering system if pH decreases:

  • What does the buffer system do?
  • Which way does the equation move?
  • Which way does this move pH?
A

With a pH decrease, you have more H+ ions

1) use base (HCO3-) accepts a H+ ion

2) Left

3) back up

CO2 + H2O <-> H2CO3 <-> H+ + HCO3-

84
Q

What can lead to Respiratory Acidosis?

A
  • Emphysema (high residual volume -> CO2 stays in system)
  • Overdose of narcotics (morphine) affects medulla
85
Q

What is the MOA of Acitazolamide

A

High altitude has less O2 in the air. We breathe faster at higher atitudes (Hyperventilation) to compensate, which causes respiratory alkalosis. Taking Acetazolamide Boosts HCO3 excretion to prevent alttitude sickness because we have a lower HCO3 level to start.

86
Q

What does EPO do

A

stimulate RBC production– Kidneys stimulate increased secretion of EPO.

87
Q

Increased 2,3, BPG causes what

A

A right shift!
its a byproduct of metabolism, so increasing it causes easier unloading of O2 at tissues

88
Q

A patient who is not used to high altitudes can have which symptoms?

A
  • Headache, nausea, fatigue