Unit 8 - Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
Respiration
obtain O2 for use by body’s cells and to eliminate CO2
Two separate but related processes
Internal respiration(cellular respiration, intracellular metabolic processes) external respiration
External respiration
Breathing
Exchange of O2 and CO2 between air in alveoli and blood within the pulmonary capillaries
Transport of gases by the blood between lungs and tissue exchange of O2 and CO2 between tissues and blood
Getting smaller and smaller
tubes carry air between the atmosphere and alveoli
nasal passages -> pharynx -> trachea -> right and left bronchi to lungs-> lobar branches-> 2 respiratory bronchioles -> several alveoli for gas exchange
Structures of the pulmonary system
trachea, segmental bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts
Trachea windpipe and larger bronchi
Non-muscular tubes with rings of cartilage preventing collapse
Bronchioles
no cartilage to hold them open
walls contain smooth muscle innervated by autonomic nervous system
alveoli
thin-walled inflatable sacs that function in gas exchange
walls consist of a single layer type I alveolar cells
pulmonary capillaries encircle each alveolus
epithelium contains type II alveolar cells (secrete pulmonary surfactant phospholipid)
lowers alveolar surface tension (increases pulmonary compliance, allows alveoli of different sizes to exist and remain open)
alveoli
alveolar macrophages guard lumen
pores of kohn permot airflow between adjacent alveoli collateral ventilation
the chest wall
outer chest wall thorax
12 pairs of ribs join sternum anteriorly and thoracic vertebrae posteriorly
protects lungs and heart
contains muscles that generate the pressure that causes airflow
pleural space
double-walled, closed sac separates each lung from thoracic wall
visceral(inner) layer covers lungs
parietal(outer) layer attached to chest wall
pleural cavity - interior of pleural sac
intrapleural fluid - secreted by surfaces of the pleura, lubricates pleural surfaces
respiratory mechanics
relationships among pressures inside and outside lungs important in ventilation
4 pressures
atmospheric/barometric pressure(Pb)
760mmHg
pressure exerted by weight of air in atmosphere on earths objects
Alveolar or intra-alveolar pressure(Palv)
pressure inside the alveolus
760mmHg when not breathing
negative (less than atmospheric) during inspiration and positive during expiration
Pleural or Intrapleural pressure (Pip)
pressure in pleural space
intra-pleural pressure= 756 (-4)
Transpulmonary/recoil pressure (Ptp=Palv-Pip)
pressure difference between alveolar pressure and pleural pressure
negative due to properties of lung and chest wall
lungs want to collapse
chest wall wants to expand
positive so keeps lungs and alveoli open
Step 1. Pulmonary ventilation main inspiratory muscles
external intercostal muscles(innervated by intercostal nerves)
diaphragm (dome-shaped sheet of skeletal muscle separates thoracic cavity from abdominal, innervated by phrenic nerve
accessory muscles
Expiratory muscles
expiration begins with relaxation of inspiratory muscles
relaxation of diaphragm and muscles of chest wall, plus the elastic recoil of the alveoli, decrease the size of the chest cavity
lungs are compressed intra-alveolar pressure increases
when pressure increases to level above atmospheric pressure, air is driven out - expiration occurs
factors influencing ventilation elastic recoil
how readily the lungs rebound after having been stretched
responsible for lungs returning to their pre-inspiratory volume when inspiratory muscles relax at end of inspiration
Factors influencing ventilation elastic recoil depends on two factors
Highly elastic connective tissue in the lungs
alveolar surface tension (thin liquid film lines each alveolus, reduces tendency of alveoli to recoil)
pulmonary surfactant(lipoprotein molecules secreted by type II alveolar cells, lowers alveolar surface tension)
(increases pulmonary compliance, reduces recoil presure of smaller alveoli, small and larger alveoli can co-exist, helps maintain lung stability)
factors influencing ventilation compliance
ability of lungs to stretch and expand
the less compliant the lungs are, more work required to produce a given degree of inflation
when compliance is high, lung is pliable and low elastic recoil
when compliance is low, lung is stiff and high elastic recoil
Air flow rate (F) depends on
difference between atmospheric and intra-alveolar pressure and the resistance of airways to airflow(R)
F = DeltaP/R
Controls contraction of smooth muscle in walls of bronchioles
ANS
During low O2 demands
PNS dominates when ventilatory demands are low
vagus nerve secretes Ach -> stimulates bronchiolar smooth -> decreases airways radii (bronchoconstriction)
High O2 demands
SNS dominates when ventilatory demand is increased
norepinephrine and epinephrine from adrenal medulla -> stimulates B2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscles -> increase airway radii (bronchodilation)
Pulmonary volumes and capacities
lung volume changes with different respiratory efforts
recorded by spirometer
forced expiratory volume in one second (volume of air that can be expired during 1st second of expiration)