Respiratory System Flashcards
Systemic Gas Exchange
The unloading of O2 and loading of CO2 at the systemic capillaries
O2 is unloaded
CO2 is loaded
What is the typical partial pressures of O2 and CO2 in the systemic capillaries AND in the respiring tissues?
•In systemic capillaries: O2 is 95 mm Hg ~CO2 is 40 mm Hg
•In respiring tissues: O2 is 40 mm Hg
CO2 is 46 mm Hg
*notice that pressure is much lower in the respiring tissues for both O2 and CO2!
What is Venous reserve?
The oxygen remaining in the venous blood after it passes through the capillary beds.
What is the most potent chemical stimulus that influences breathing?
pH is the most potent stimulus. But also CO2 because it controls pH.
What is the normal range of blood pH?
Normal blood pH is 7.3-7.4
What is respiratory alkalosis?
When arterial pH blood is higher than 7.4
Caused by Hypocapnia: when PCO2 is less than the normal
What is respiratory acidosis?
When arterial blood pH is lower than 7.3
Caused by Hypercapnia-when blood PCO2 is higher than normal
Define obstructive disorder
Characterized by narrowing of the bronchioles and the airway obstruction increases resistance
Examples: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Define respiratory restrictive disorder
Characterized by reduced total lung capacity which leads to loss of elasticity and lung expansion is limited
Examples: black lung, tuberculosis, pneumonia and pulmonary edema
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ?
What are some common causes?
Refers to any disorder in which there is a long term obstruction of airflow that interferes with normal breathing.
Common causes: smoking, air pollution, exposure to chemicals
What gives the facial part of the nose its shape?
Bone and hyaline cartilage gives the nose its shape
What are the 3 main functions of the nose?
To warm, moisten and filter air
What is the function of the nasal conchae?
To disrupt the airflow, directing air towards the olfactory and respiratory epithelium.
Also enables nose to cleanse, warm and humidify air better.
What is the function of the olfactory epithelium?
Sensory cells that detect odors
What are the 3 regions of the pharynx?
- Nasopharynx-has contact with air only
2. Oropharynx & 3.Laryngopharynx -both have contact with air, food, and drink
What are the 2 main functions of the larynx (voice box) ?
To keep food and drink out of the airway and also sound production (voice)
What are the 3 types of cartilage that are part of the larynx?
- Epiglottis cartilage-flexible los of the larynx
- Thyroid cartilage- largest, shield-shaped
- Cricoid cartilage- connects larynx to trachea, ring like in shape
Which type of cartilage is the Adam’s apple part of?
The Adam’s apple is part of the thyroid cartilage
What is the epiglottis and its function?
A flap of cartilage that guards the superior opening of the larynx (lid).
During swallowing it closes airway and directs food to the esophagus
What supports the trachea and prevents it from collapsing?
C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage
Are the lungs symmetrical? Why or why not?
The lungs are NOT symmetrical
- Right lung: shorter, has 3 lobes
- Left lung: taller, 2 lobes, has an indentation (cardiac impression)
Approximately, how many alveoli are there in each lung?
Approximately 150 million alveoli in each lung
What are the 3 types of alveoli cells?
- Squamous alveolar cells- 95% of alveolar surface area
- Great alveolar cells-cover remaining 5% of surface
- Alveolar macrophages-dust cells
