Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the functions of the pulmonary system?
- Gas Exchange (Main Function)
- Sense of smell
- Filters and humidifies air
- Produce sound
- Eliminates waste products
- Defense mechanism
Describe the 4 main processes (parts) done by the respiratory system?
- Pulmonary Ventilation
- Gas Exchange
- Internal Respiration
- Regulation of Breathing
What structures are found in the upper airway?
nose, nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx
What structures are found in the lower respiratory?
larynx, trachea, lungs, alveolus
The conduit zone runs from which generations?
1st-16th generation
The respiratory zone runs from which generations?
17th -23rd generation
The “functional part” of the respiratory system refers to which zone?
respiratory zone
The respiratory zone is roughly ____ml.
3L
The bronchioles up until the alveoli is part of which zone?
respiratory zone
The conduit zone is roughly ____ml.
150 ml
The respiratory system is divided into how many generations?
23 generations
The respiratory system is branched into what kind of branching?
dichotomous
The fibrous-cartilage layer is found only at the _________.
Trachea
Why do bronchioles have thin walls?
to facilitate gas exchange
What is the lipid-protein substance that is released by the alveoli? What is its function?
surfactant. lowers surface tension and keeps patency
Which gland secretes watery phlegm?
serous gland
Which gland secretes “slimy” or “sticky” phlegm?
mucous gland
Where do smooth muscles in the respiratory tract start?
trachea but persists down the respiratory tract
What is the function of smooth muscles in the respiratory system?
keeps patency
The upper respiratory tract is primarily made of cuboidal cells. T/F?
F. It primarily contains pseudostratified epithelium, cilia, secretory cells, and basal cells.
Secretary glands are mainly found at the lower respiratory tract. T/F?
F. It is mainly cuboidal cells, secretory glands are practically absent.
The cilia is mainly found at which part of the respiratory tract?
upper respiratory tract
Diseases like asthmas and COPD are associated with which part of the respiratory tract?
lower respiratory tract
What is the mechanical process of moving air from the environment to the lungs?
pulmonary ventilation
During expiration, air moves out of the lungs due to the passive recoil of the lungs and chest. What then keeps the patency of the airway?
residual volume
Why do some people feel a shortness of breath when they are full?
When a person is full, the diaphragm cannot go down because the stomach is bloated. This causes the feeling of shortness of breath.
What muscle causes the horizontal increase of diameter for breathing?
intercostal muscles
What phenomenon is shown when the external intercostals go up and the thorax size increases?
handle of a pail phenomenon
What cells make the surfactant needed for alveolar compliance?
Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cells
What refers to the measurement of “quiet breathing”?
Tidal Volume
What is the normal amount of air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal tidal volume?
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) = 3100ml
What measurement describes the amount of air that can forcibly be exhaled after a normal tidal volume? What’s the normal range?
Expiratory Reserve Volume - 1500 ml
What is lung capacity?
Sum of all volumes (IRV + ERV + TV + RV)
The inspiratory capacity decreases or increases in patients with COPD? How would you measure it?
The inspiratory capacity decreases or increases in patients with COPD? How would you measure it?
Decrease, TV + IRV
The sum of residual volume and expiratory reserve volume describes what?
Functional Residual Capacity
What is the normal range for total lung capacity?
5-6L
Where does gas exchange occur?
Alveoli
What factors affect diffusion?
concentration gradient, surface area, barrier thickness and permeability, capillary thickness, solubility, molecular weight
What happens to the oxygen dissociation curve when the hemoglobin becomes fully saturated?
The top part becomes flat (plateau) due to the negligible amount of oxygen that can be carried by the blood at this point.
What characteristic of the hemoglobin makes the initial attachment of the first oxygen molecule difficult?
The hemoglobin is highly folded
What are the factors that affect ventilation?
- airway resistance
- diameter
- mechanical factors
- alveolar compliance
- alveolar elasticity
What is the average residual volume (RV) of air?
1500 ml
What is the average expiratory reserve volume (ERV)?
1500 ml
How do you compute for the inspiratory capacity?
TV + IRV
How do you compute for the vital capacity?
IRV + ERV + TV
How do you compute for functional residual capacity?
RV + ERV
How do you compute for total lung capacity?
IRV + ERV + TV + RV
What is the average range for total lung capacity?
5-6 L
What is the volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximal exhalation?
residual volume
What is the average amount of residual volume?
1500 ml
What are the factors that affect diffusion?
- concentration gradient
- surface area
- barrier thickness
- solubility
- molecular weight
Oxygen concentration is _______ in the alveoli and _______ in the capillary.
higher; lower
Is CO2 higher in the capillary and lower in the alveoli?
yes
Which is more soluble: CO2 or O2?
CO2
What is the physiological advantages of facilitated O2 saturation (i.e. easier for O2 molecules to attach once 1st molecule binds to RBC)?
if O2 falls a bit, there won’t be a steep decrease in oxygenation + it’s easier to get oxygen at this point
During exercise, at what state are you in with regards to oxygen dissociation?
hypermetabolic/hypercatabolic state
A right shift in the oxygen dissociation curve indicates what?
Bohr Effect: it’s easier for oxygen to unload
What factors would push the dissociation curve to the right?
“CADET, face Right!”
Increase of the ff:
C = PCO2
A = Acid (increased H+)
D = 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)
E = Exercise
T = Temperature
What factors would push the dissociation curve to the left?
*same but “Decrease”
Decrease of the ff:
1. temperature
2. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)
3. acidity (decreased H+)
A left shift in the oxygen dissociation curve indicates what?
increased affinity for oxygen, making it more difficult for oxygen to get unloaded
What enzyme allows carbon dioxide to enter the red blood cell?
carbonic anhydase
Briefly explain how CO2 enters the RBC.
- CO2 dissolves in blood
- inside RBC, CO2 +H2O interacts (via carbonic anhydrase) = bicarbonate
- bicarbonate reacts with hemoglobin = carbon amino compound
Carbamino compounds and bicarbonate aid transportation of CO2 from tissue to lungs
What are the functions of gas exchange?
- Synthesis of substance (e.g. surfactants)
- Storage and Release (e.g. prostaglandins, histamine)
- Removing substances (e.g. prostaglandins, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, etc.)
- Activation of enzymes (Angiotensin 1 → Angiotensin 2)
What peptide can cause cough?
Bradykinin
Is pulmonary circulation high or low resistance?
low
What is the usual pressure of pulmonary circulation?
25/8 mmHg
What is the normal pressure gradient from the aorta to the systemic capillary?
85-90 mL mercury drop
What is the normal pressure for the systemic circulation?
120/80 mmHg or 110/80 mmHg
What facilitates gas exchange in the airways?
alveolar vessels
Extra-alveolar vessels are found where?
between alveoli
What group of neurons are considered the “Switch On” point where passive and involuntary breathing is mediated? (hint: inspiration)
Dorsal Respiratory group
What is the “Switch off” point for breathing?
pneumotaxic center
Where is the pneumotaxic center located?
in the nucleus parabrachialis
of the upper pons
What group of neurons is responsible for active inspiration and expiration? It is known to be the “back up”
Ventral respiratory group
Where are central sensors located?
medulla
Does H+ affect the work of breathing done by the central sensors?
no. H+ can’t cross blood brain barrier
Activities that occur in response to chemoreceptors (Acidity, alkalinity, etc.) is processed where?
medulla
What are the 2 parts of peripheral receptors?
carotid body and aortic body
What does the peripheral receptors detect?
decrease in arterial oxygen & hypoxemia
What part of the brain controls volitional inspiration and expiration?
cerebrum
What part of the brain controls breathing affected by emotions?
caudate nucleus
What is a high AA indicative of?
dysfunction in the respiratory system
What are the 4 types of respiratory failures?
- hypoxemic respiratory failure
- hypercapnic respiratory failure
- peri-operative respiratory failure (happens because of surgery)
- shock with hypoperfusion
What types of respiratory failure is displayed in these conditions:
pulmonary edema, pneumonia, lung hemorrhage, chest trauma
hypoxemic respiratory failure (air space flooding)
What types of respiratory failure is displayed in these conditions:
neurologic, pulmonary fibrosis, kyphoscoliosis
Hypercapnic Respiratory failure (increased dead space + decreased CNS drive)
What types of respiratory failure is displayed in these conditions:
hypoperfusion, cardiogenic, septic
shock with hypoperfusion
