review Flashcards
What zones does respiratory physiology consist of? Describe them
Respiratory zone–site of gas exchange, Conduction zone–gets air to the respiratory zone
What does respiration include?
Ventilation, gas exchange between blood and lungs and between blood tissues, oxygen utilization by tissues to make ATP
What is the difference between external and internal respiration?
External–ventilation and gas exchange in lungs. Internal–oxygen ventilation and gas exchange in tissues
How does gas exchange occur in lungs?
Via diffusion. Oxygen concentration is higher in the lungs than in the blood, so oxygen diffuses into blood. CO2 concentration in the blood is higher than in the lungs, so CO2 diffuses out of blood
Define the immune barrier
simple columnar epithelium with tight junctions prevents swallowed pathogens from entering body
Describe the two kinds of alveolar cells
Type I–95-97% total surface area where surface gas exchange occurs. Type II–secrete pulmonary surfactant and reabsorb sodium and water, preventing fluid buildup
Describe the conducting zone
Air travels down the nasal cavity –> pharynx –> larynx –> trachea –> right and left primary bronchi –> secondary bronchi –> tertiary bronchi –> more branching –> terminal bronchioles –> respiratory zone (respiratory bronchioles) –> terminal alveolar sacs
What is atmospheric pressure?
Pressure of air outside the body
Describe the parasympathetic division of GI tract regulation
Stimulates esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, and first part of large intestine via vagus nerve. Spinal nerves in sacral region stimulate lower large intestine
What is intrapulmonary pressure?
Pressure in the lungs
What is intrapleural pressure?
Pressure within the intrapleural space (between parietal and visceral pleura)
Describe the stomach functions
Stores food, churns food to mix with gastric secretions. Begins protein digestion. Kills bacteria. Moves food into small intestine in the form of chyme.
What is transpulmonary pressure?
The difference between the intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressure
What is Boyle’s law
States that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. An increase in lung volume during inspiration decreases intrapulmonary pressure to subatmospheric levels–>air goes in. A decrease in lung volume during exhalation increases intrapulmonary pressure above atmospheric levels–>air goes out
What is lung compliance
Lungs can expand when stretched. Defined as the change in volume per change in transpulmonary pressure. Reduced by infiltration of connective tissue proteins in pulmonary fibrosis.
What is the law of laplace
Pressure is directly proportional to surface tension and inversely proportional to radius of alveolus. Small alveoli would be at greater risk of collapse without surfactant.
What is surfactant? What is it secreted by, what is it made of, what is its function etc?
Secreted by type II alveolar cells. Consists of hydrophobic protein and phospholipids. Reduces surface tension between water molecules. More concentrated in smaller alveoli. Prevents collapse.
What does the gallbladder do?
Stores and concentrates bile from liver
How does surfactant affect premature babies?
Production begins late in fetal life, so premature babies have higher risk of alveolar collapse called respiratory distress syndrome.
How does the diaphragm affect breathing?
It’s the most important muscle involved in breathing. Contracts in inspiration, relaxes in expiration
What muscles are involved in inspiration?
External intercostals during normal breathing, add sternocleidomastoid, scalene, and parasternal intercostals if forced
Describe HCl secretion
Primary active transport of H+/K+ ATPase pumps. Facilitated diffusion of Cl-. Stimulation: Gastrin–made in G cells; carried to parietal cells in blood. Also stimulates ECL cells to make histamine. Histamine: also stimulates parietal cells via H2 histamine receptors
What muscles are involved in expiration?
Internal intercostals during normal breathing, add abdominal muscles and internal intercostals if forced
Describe inspiration in terms of volume, volume direction, and direction of movement
Volume of thoracic cavity (and lungs) increases vertically when diaphram contracts (flattens) and horizontally when parasternal and external intercostals raise the ribs. Air moves from high to low pressure, moving inward