Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the 4 main functions of the respiratory system
Exchange co2 and o2
Keep body ph stable
Protect from harmful substances
Vocalisation
Describe functional anatomy
Upper and lower
What is the function if upper anatomy
Mouth/nasal cavity/ pharynx/ larynx
Air becomes warm and wet and filtered
How do trapped particles exit the body
Swallowed spitted sneezed
What forms the lower tract
Trachea
Two primary bronchu
Branches of bronchi and lungs
What is known as the conducting system
Trachea
Primary bronchi
Smaller bronchi
What is known as the exchange surface
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Where does gas exchange take place
Alveoli
What is the alveolar fluid lined with
Surfactant
Describe and explain the function of the pleura
Double wall closed sac separating each lung from the thoracic cavity
What is the gas equation
Pv=nrt
What is constant in humans from the gas equation
Moles and temperature
Recall boyles law
Relationship between pressure and volume in closed system inversely related
What happens when pressure outside is higher than pressure inside
Volume increases
Inspiration
What happens when pressure inside is greater then pressure outiside
Volume decreases= expiration
Explain what happens to the chest and diaphragm when breathing in
Chest expands
Diaphragm contract
What happens to chest and diaphragm when breathing out
Cheat contracts
Diaphragm relaxes
What is the description for intrapleural pressure
Subatmospheric
Equation for anatomical dead space
(No of breaths per minute) x (500-150ml per breath)
In intrapulmonary pressure, describe pressure and volume
Pressure in lung decreases as lung vilume increases in inspiration
Expiration- pressure increases
Relating intrapleural pressure, how does pleural cavity pressure change duering inspiration
Pcp becomes more negative during inspiration
Returns to initial value as chest wall recoils
During each breath, how many liters of air move in and out of the lungs
0.5 litres
Describe the 3 exchange process in order
Between atmosphere and lungs
Between lung and blood
Between blood and cells
What influences are there on gas exchange between alveoli and blood
Air composition
Ventilation properties
Perfusion
What is an example of pathological condition causing hypoxia
Asthma
Increased resistance in airways causes decreased alveolar ventilation
What causes pulmonary edema
Fluid in interstitial space increasing distance
What effect does emphysema have on the lungs
Decreases surface area due to destruction of alveoli
What is the equation for oxygen transport
O2 transport = co x o2 concentration
What can high methaemoglobin cause
Cyanosis
What enzyme is used to interconvert c02/ h20 to carbonic acid
Carbonic anhydrase
What will happen if co2 is not removed from body
Ph disturbance = protein denaturation
Explain the co2 dissociation curve
Linear
No saturation with co2 when pco2 exceeds normal alveolar levels
Oxygenation= co2 removed
When pc02 is zero, what does that mean
No co2 in blood
Define vital capacity
Maximal volume that can be expired after a maximal inspiration
Define inspiratory reserve volume
Maximal volume which can be inspired from end tidal inspiration
Define expiratory reserve volume
Maxima volume which can be expired from the resting end expiratory level
Define inspiratory capacity
Maximal volume which can be inspired from the resting end expiratory level
Define functional residual capacity
Volume of gas in the lungs at the resting end expiratory level
Define residual volume
Volume of gas in the lungs at the end of maximal expiration
Define total lung capacity
Volume of gas in the lungs ag the end of a maximal inspiration
What is meant by respiratory disease
Any disease or disorder of airway and lungs that affect human respiration
What does the respiratory system involve
Nasal cavities
Pharyn
Larynx
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Pleura
Pleural cavity& nerves
Muscle of respiration
Whats the cause of rhinitis and laryngitis
Large particles deposited in nose, more soluble gases absorbed by upper tract causing edema and hypersecretion
What cause tracheitis bronchitis and bronciolitis
Large particles deposited and cleared by cilia, small particles and fine fibres deposited by bronchioles and alveolar ducts. Less soluble gases penetrate to deeper small airway
What cause astham and copd
Allergens and irritants causing inflam changes
What causes cancer
Carcinogens come into contact with bronchial epi cells causing mutations
What happens in interstitial disease
Small particles deposited which penetrates the intersitium causing fibrosis and granuloma
What organisms are capable of infecting the resp tract
Bacteria fungi virus
What is the relationship between organism and symptoms
Type of organism and extent of infection can cause mild to mod to severe symptoms
Factors weakening defense mechanisms
Cigarette smoking - paralyse cilia lining
Presence of resp pathogen eg influenza
Symptoms of influenza
Headache fever cough
Can lead to co infection or viral pneumonia
Treatment for influenza
Vaccine updated yearly for a& b
Given for elderly /healthcare workers
Antiviral
Pathology behind pneumonia
Infection of lung tissue
Air sacs filled with microorganisms fluid inflaming cells
Management of pneumonia
Antibiotic
Oxygen therapy
Airway clearance
Fluid management
What is the microorganisms causing tb and which part of body can it infect
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Any part usually lungs
How is tb transmitted
Air of infected person eg speaks sings
Risk factors for tb contamination
Patients
Iv drug use
Hiv
Travel to high risk areas
Symptoms of tb
Coughing lasting 3+ weeks
Coughing uo blood
Fever
Night sweat
Treatment for tb
Intense 2 month rifampicin isoniazid pyrazinamide ethambutol
Continued 4 months iso/ rifamp/ ethambutol
Describe asthma
Chronic lung disease due to obstruction which is reversible
Symptoms of asthma
Chest tightness
Cough at night and when laughing
Wheezing and whistling
Asthma triggers
Stress
Pollution
Dust
Allergy
Long term asthma treatment
Saba ‘s
Steroid meds
Combination
Ways of managing asthma
Indentify and minimise asthma triggers
Understand asthma meds and take as directed
Recognise early signs
Know what to do when symptoms get worse
How do you know if you have complete control over asthma
No daytime or nightime symptoms
Dont need meds
No asthma attack or limitaiom to activity
What conditions does copd include
Bronchitis and emphysema
What is copd associated with
Inflammation of lungs reaction to noxious particles/gas
Causes of copd
Smoking
Prolonged exposure to harmful smoke
History of resp illness in childhood
Genetic makeup
Age
Difference between cood and asthma
Astham reversed copd cant
Asthma common under 35 copd not
Asthma night time waking copd all day
A chronic cough with sputum is most likely to be
COPD
When would you perform spirometry
At diagnosis
See if meds working
Worsening of condition
Reconsider diagnosis
Effect of obstructive diseases on fev1
Reduce fev1
What elements could be put in place ro prevent copd
Smoking cessation
Prevent exposure to second hand smoke or other substances
Main aims for COPD management
Early diagnosis for slow progression of disease
Alleviating symptoms
Better quality if life
Prevent complications
Main cause of lung cancer
Smoking
Symptoms of lung cancer
Wheezing shortness of breath
Worsening cough
Coughing up blood
Chest pain
