VQ relationships and disorders Flashcards
what is the VQ ratio
the relationship between ventilation and perfusion (ventilation to blood flow)
what is ventilation
process by which air moves in and out of the lung
what is perfusion
process by which deoxygenated blood passes through the lung and becomes oxygenated
what does the VQ ratio determine
the level of partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
describe the pleural pressure distribution in the lungs
more negative at the apex than at the base
what is compliance
how much effort is required to stretch the lungs and the chest wall
what are some pulmonary conditions that lead to reduced compliance
scarring in the lung tissue
fluid in the lungs
deficient surfactant production
destruction of elastic fibres
what is resistance
narrowing or obstruction in the airway that may reduce airflow
what are some conditions that lead to an increase in resistance
asthma
obstruction or collapse of airways due to COPD
what is COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including ephysema or chronic bronchitis
what are the two types of dead space
anatomical dead space or physiological dead space
what is anatomical dead space
volume of gas during each breath that fills the conducting airways
what is physiological dead space
total volume of gas in each breath that does not participate in gas exchange eg alveoli that are perfused but not ventilated
describe pulmonary blood flow distribution
pulmonary circulation is a low pressure and low resistance system, influenced by gravity more than systemic circulation
describe pulmonary circulation when sat upright
greater blood flow to the base than to the apex
what can influence flow and the VQ ratio
the variations in arterial and venous pressure
summarise pressure and resistance of pulmonary circulation
low pressure
low resistance
what is the VQ ratio defined as for a single alveolus
alveolar ventilation divided by capillary flow
what is the VQ ratio defined as for the lungs as a whole
total alveolar ventilation divided by cardiac output