Ventilation/Perfusion Ratio & Gas Exchange Flashcards
The V/Q ratio of the lung as a whole is
0.8
Mention the mean arterial pressure in different regions of the lung
13 mmHg at the level of the heart
3mmHg at the apex
21 mmHg at the bottom
GR: In, upright position, the alveoli at the apex have greater volume than the base.
Because gravity causes the intrapleural pressure ti be more negative in the lung apex than in the base.
GR: The small alveoli at the base are more well-ventilated than large ones at the apex.
Because the small alveoli can be inflated to larger size than the large alveoli can do (more compliant)
Compare V/Q ratio in lung apex & base
Apex: blood flow & alveolar ventilation are both less, but the decrease of blood flow is more so V/Q is increased to 3.
Base: blood flow & alveolar ventilation are both more, but the increase in blood flow is more so V/Q is decreased to 0.6.
GR: The apex of lung harbours air volume added to anatomical dead space.
Because of the increased V/Q ratio, leading to wasted ventilation (physiological dead space) as air passes without gas exchange.
GR: The base of the lung harbours blood volume added to anatomical shunt.
Because of the decreased V/Q ratio, leading to wasted blood flow (physiological shunt) as blood passes without gas exchange.
GR: Alveolar dead space incraeses in upright position as opposed to supine.
Beacuse of decreased perfusion to uppermost alveoli.
GR: In upright position, more gas exchange occurs in the bottom.
Due to more blood flow at the base than the lung apex and thus more O2 is extracted from alveolar air.
Describe local homeostatic mechanisms in case of pulmonary embolus
Decreased alveolar CO2 leads to local bronchoconstriction with shifting ventilation away from poorly perfused area.
Increased alveolar O2 leads to vasodilatation of local pulmonary blood vessels with increased perfusion to poorly perfused area.
Describe local homeostatic mechanisms in case of airway obstruction
Increased alveolar CO2 leads to local bronchodilatation with increased airflow in obstructed airways.
Decreased alveolar O2 leads to vasoconstriction of local pulmonary blood vessels with shunting blood away from hypoxic area, to direct it to well ventilated alveoli.
GR: Alveolar PO2 is less than atmospheric PO2
- Inspired air is saturated with water vapour which exerts partial pressure of 47 mmH
- Only about 15% of alveolar air is replaced by atmospheric air
- O2 continuously diffuses into blood
GR: Alveolar O2 remains relatively contstant
- O2 continuously diffuses down its pressure gardient from alveoli to blood
- O2 arriving in alveoli = O2 diffusing out of alveoli to blood
Pressure gradient of O2 is …..
60 mmHg
Pressure gradient of CO2 is …..
6 mmHg
Mention components of respiratory membrane
- Fluid lining alveoli containing surfactant
- Alveolar epithelium
- Epithelial BM
- Interstitial space
- Capillary BM
- Capillary endothelium