Vocabulary Flashcards
external respiration
- The exchange of oxygen CO2 between blood, lung tissue and the external environment
- O2 in and Co2 out
-airways allow air to reach gas exchange surfaces in the lungs - incoming (inhaled) air is conditions - warmed and filtered by the respiratory tract
- the thin wall created by alveolar type 1 cells and pulmonary capillary endothelial cells allows for oxygen to diffuse into blood, and CO2 to diffuse into the alveolar cavity
Internal respiration
the exchange of oxygen and CO2 between blood and other body tissues
- involves diffusion of gasses between blood and ISF across capillary walls
- O2 is able to diffuse down its concentration gradient skin to tissue, while the pressure gradient favours the uptake of CO2 in the blood
Pulmonary Ventilation (breaking)
physically moves air into and out of the lungs
Alveolus
is a capillary-wrapped gas exchange structure
Respiratory Mucosa
- most of the respiratory tract is covered by the respiratory mucosa, which has protective specializations
- a mucous membrane (epithelium + basement membrane + connective tissue)
Mucus
helps to condition (moisten) air, as well as filters air by trapping particles and pathogens
Cilia
makes beating movements which constantly sweep secreted mucus toward the pharynx
Pleura
- a double-layered membrane adheres each lung to the wall of the thoracic cage
- if skeletal muscles alter the shape of the thoracic cage, the lungs will also alter their shape
Pressure Gradients
changes the size of the pleasurable cavity creates pressure gradients which drive airflow into and out of the lungs
Inhalation
movements of inspiratory muscles expand the lungs, creating a neg pressure gradient
Exhalation
when the muscles relax, the pressure gradient and airflow reverse
Resting tidal volume
- very small differences (+/- 1mm Hg) in intrapulmonary pressure can create movement of air through the respiratory tract
- A single quiet breathing moves about 500mL of air into and then out of the lungs
Accessory Muscle
increases the speed and magnitude of thoracic cage movements
Phrenic motor neurons
(found in C3-C5) sent their axons in the phrenic nerve and innervate the myofibres of the diaphragm
Spirometry
airflow in an out of the respiratory system can be measured using the spirometry
Measurements:
1. volume of air moving into or out of the respiratory system
2. How fast that air is moving
Tidal Volume
- air moving in a single unit breathing
- is a small fraction of the total volume of air in the lungs
- A typical spirometry test involves periods f quiet breathing and a forceful inhalation and exhalation
- at rest, only a small volume of air moves into and out of the lung during a single breath
Vt = 500mL
Vt = tidal volume
Inspiratory capacity and inspiratory reserve
- relate to the maximum volume of air that can be breathed into the lungs
- these measures are made when a subject is asked to breathe in as deeply as possible
IRV = IC - Vt
Vt= tidal volume
IRV = inspiratory reserve volume
IC = inspiratory capacity
Expiratory reserve and vital capacity
- relate to the amount of air that can be breathed out in a maximal exhalation
- these measures are added when a subject is asked to breathe out as completely as possible
VC = ERV + Vt + IRV
ERV = Expiratory reserve volume
VC = Vital capacity
Residual Volume
- which remains after maximal exhalation is a considerable fraction of title lung capacity
TLC = FRC + IC or TLC = RV + VC
TLC = Total lung capacity
FRC = Functional residual capacity
RV = Residual Volume (cannot be directly measured with spirometry)
- air left in the lungs even after maximal exhalation
Respiratory reflexes can change breathing movements in terms of: (3 options)
- timing
- pattern
- force
Note: all respiratory reflexes are long (neutral) reflexes
Chemoreceptors
in the medulla are far more sensitive to changes in Pco2 than changes in Po2
What is “sighing”
- function
- why is it helpful
- is a reflexive breathing pattern which creates a slow, deep breath
- this helps reinflate pulmonary lobules
- reinflating collapsed alveolar sacs required inspiration with greater force than that provided by resting tidal volume (Vt)
- this extra infraction force is provided by periodic reflexive sighs (single deep breaths)
- despite their surfactant layer, a small proportion of alveolar sacs in each lung collapse with every exhalation
Protective reflexes
- coughing
- sneezing
- are powerful expiratory responses to irritants in the airway
- both patterns involve fuel exhalation of air against a partial constriction in the glottis
- this builds up high pressures so when the constriction is released, the airflow can (hopefully clear the airway)
Sneezing
- a purely involuntary reflex triggered by by the presence of irritants or particles in the nasal cavity or nasopharynx
Coughing
-reflexively triggered by the presence of irritants or particles in the lower respiratory tract (it can be performed voluntarily)
- involves closing the nasopharynx
Total Volume
- is a small fraction of total lung capacity
- in quiet (resting) breathing, relatively few skeletal muscles are active (and only during the inspiratory phase)
- movements are relatively small with a tail volume of about 500mL