Respiratory - The lung 1/2 Flashcards
What is the function of the lungs?
Internal pockets of the body surface which allow atmospheric air to be brought close to the pulmonary capillaries so gas exchange can occur
What are the two things necessary for efficient exchange?
Diffusion distance between air and blood must be small
The surface area for gas exchange most be large
What is the diffusion distance inside the lungs?
0.5 micrometers (1/50 of the diameter of a red blood cell)
What is the internal surface are of the lungs?
100ms2
What is external respiration?
The process by which oxygen is absorbed from the atmosphere into the pulmonary capillaries and CO2 is excreted (i.e. from outside to inside body)
What is internal respiration?
The exchange of gases between blood in systemic capillaries and the tissue fluid and cells which surround them (i.e. from blood to cells)
What is cellular respiration?
The process within individual cells where they gain energy by breaking down molecules such as glucose
What is pulmonary ventilation?
The bulk movement of air into and out of the lungs
What is the conduction part of the respiratory system?
Series of cavities and thick wall tubes which conduct air between eh noes the the deepest parts of the lungs
What is the function of the conduction part of the respiratory system?
Warms, humidifies and cleans the air (no gas exchange FYI)
What makes up the conduction system?
Nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles (i.e. the tubes)
What is the respiratory part of the respiratory system?
Comprising the tiny thin walled airways where gases are exchanged between air and blood
What makes up the respiratory part?
Bronchioles, alveolar duct and sac and alveoli (i.e. the end of the tubes)
What are the three stages of respiration?
External respiration (air –> blood), internal respiration (blood –> tissue) and cellular respiration (tissue – > energy)
What is the difference between respiration and ventilation?
Ventilation is the mechanical movement of air in and out of the lungs, respiration is the movement of gases through the body
What are the two parts of the respiratory tract?
Upper and lower respiratory tract
What structures make up the upper and lower respiratory tract?
Upper = Nasal cavity – > larynx
Lower = Trachea –> alveoli
How does an illness in the upper vs lower respiratory tract differ?
Illnesses in the upper respiratory tract are normally viral and can remedy themselves or with antibiotics, lower respiratory tract is more serious and is likely to lead to more serious conditions such an pneumonia
In the conduction part of the respiratory system, what needs to happen to the air?
The air needs to be warmed to 37ºC, removes pathogens and particle from the air and humidify the air to 100%