Respiratory System Flashcards
Function of the respiratory system
Supply cells with oxygen
Remove carbon dioxide from the body
Define pulmonary ventilation
Movement of air between the atmosphere and the alveoli
Define alveolar gas exchange
Exchange of respiratory gases between alveoli of the lungs and the blood
Define gas transport
Blood transport between lungs and tissue cells
Define systematic gas exchange
Exchange of gases between the blood and the systematic cells
What is the pleura?
Haemothorax - cavity full of blood
Pneumothorax - cavity full of air
The pleura allows the lungs to move but not to separate
Mechanisms of inhalation
Inspiratory muscles contract Increase in thoracic cavity Lungs stretched Increase in intrapulmonary volume Decrease in intrapulmonary pressure Air flows into the lungs from the atmosphere to equalise pressure
What is Boyles law ?
As pressure increases, volume decreases
As volume increases, pressure decreases
What is tidal volume (TV)?
The amount of air moved in and out the lungs with each breath
Normally around 500ml
What is respiratory rate (RR)?
The number of inspirations per minute
Usually between 12 and 18
List the different types of bronchi
Main bronchi
Lobar bronchi
Segment bronchi
Smaller bronchi
What s dead space?
Inspired air that fills the conducting airways and does not contribute to gas exchange
What is alveolar ventilation rate?
The amount of air that reaches the alveoli per minute
What is vital capacity?
The maximum volume of air that can be expelled
What is residual volume?
The volume of air remaining after a maximum expiration
What is functional residual capacity?
Volume of air left after a normal expiration of air
What is inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)?
Amount of air that can fire fully be inhaled after a normal inspiration
What is gas exchange?
Movement towards an area of lower concentration of the diffusing substance
Simple diffusion
What affects gas movement across the membrane?
Partial pressure gradients
Gas solubility
The thickness of the membrane
Surface area available for gas exchange
Facts about the carriage of the oxyhaemoglobin
98% bound to the haemoglobin
3% dissolved in the plasma
Can be affected by the presence of carbon monoxide
The carriage of CO2…
Dissolved in the plasma 7%
Attached to globin 23%
Where is pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium found?
Nasal cavity
Trachea
Main and lobar bronchi
Where is simple ciliated columnar epithelium found?
Segmental bronchi
Large bronchioles
Where is simple ciliated cuboidal epithelium found?
Small terminal bronchioles
Respiratory bronchioles
Where is simple squamous epithelium found?
Alveolar ducts
Forms alveoli
