Week 1: CTB Flashcards
Define Pressure
P - Force exerted per unit area
Define Pressure Gradient
DeltaP - Difference in forces exerted (per unit area) at either end/side of an object e.g. a tube or membrane
Define Flow (Q)
The VOLUME of fluid passing a given level of the circulation/airways per unit time (ml/s or l/min)
e.g. in Cardiovascular System remains constant throughout (cardiac output ~5l/min)
Define Velocity (v)
The rate of movement of fluid particles along a vessel/airway (cm/s)
Define Resistance (R)
A force that tends to oppose the flow of a substance
Explain the relationship between flow, pressure gradient and resistance.
- Flow is generated by a pressure gradient
- Flow proportional to pressure difference between the ends of vessels & airways if all other things are equal
- For a given pressure gradient, flow is determined by the RESISTANCE of the vessel/airway
- Pressure gradient = Flow x Resistance
- DeltaP = QR
Outline the factors determining resistance in a tube (3)
- Radius - Inversely Proportional
- Length - Proportional
- Viscosity of fluid - How easily layers of laminar flow move over each other
Explain the relationship between flow (q) , velocity (v) and cross-sectional area (A) in connected tubes
- At a given flow, velocity is inversely proportional to cross-sectional area (A) = πr²
- V = Q/A
- When the pressure gradient is constant, mean velocity is proportional to r² (radius)
What is Laminar flow?
- Layers of fluid moving over eachother parallel to tube
- Fluid does not move with same velocity across width of tube
- Velocity lowest at edges
- Velocity highest at centre of tube
- Laminar flow will mean that the width of the tube greatly affects its resistance
Explain the principle of Poiseulle’s Law and its relationship to flow
- Affect on flow
- Flow = Pressure gradient / Resistance
- Flow is directly proportional to the fourth power of the radius of the tube (r^4)
Explain ‘Flow is directly proportional to r^4’
This is Poiseulle’s Law, this means that if we double the radius, flow will increase by 16 times. Small changes in radius have a huge impact on flow
Define Viscosity
How easily the layers of laminar fluid move over each other
Outline the influences of particulates on flow e.g. blood
- Blood composition affects viscosity and thus flow.
- E.g. Haematocrit, % of RBC in blood volume
- Plasma proteins
- Laminar flow - RBC tend to get borne along in most rapidly moving stream in the centre of blood vessels
- Does not have a big impact on blood flow but can be altered in certain conditions
What can affect blood viscosity?
- Major determinant - Haematocrit - % RBC in blood volume. Increase in number of RBC can increase viscosity affecting flow.
- Can be caused by physiological conditions e.g. living at high altitude to increase oxygen carrying capacity of blood
- Pathological conditions e.g. Haematological malignancies, response to hypoxia
What is turbulent flow?
The layers of laminar flow break up and flow becomes disordered
What makes turbulent flow more likely?
- If Velocity is high (e.g. secondary to a narrowed tube)
- Viscosity is low
- Tube diameter is high
- Tube branching or irregular surfaces
In what forms are Turbulent flow relevant to clinical application?
- Turbulent flow is noisy
- Bruits (in blood vessels due to stenosis)
- Murmurs (turbulent flow around a heart valve due to stenosis / not closing properly)
- Wheeze
- Stridor (obstruction in the upper airways e.g. larynx/trachea)
Compare laminar and turbulent flow through a tube
- Laminar flow is flow parallel to the tube, whereby there is are layers of flow where the middle at which velocity is highest and sides where velocity is lowest. All fluid travelling in the same direction uniformly.
- Turbulent flow is when the layers of laminar flow break up and flow becomes disorganised
Compare the effects of resistances in series and resistances in parallel
- In series - Resistance is added for vessels/airways in series
- When many tubes arranged in parallel, effective cross-sectional area is greater, overall resistance is reduced.
Where are tubes arranged in parallel?
- Lower parts of tracheobronchial tree
* Capillaries
Where are tubules arranged in series?
Resistance vessels i.e. small arteries and arterioles
Describe the pattern of flow, resistance and pressure over the branching networks of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Flow is constant
- Resistance is reduced at parallel branching sites e.g. capillaries and lower parts of tracheobronchial tree
- Resistance is highest at small arteries and arterioles arranged in series. Very tightly controlled via contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles within these vessels.
What is distensibility of tubes?
- Particularly veins.
- Blood inside vessels creating pressure (intravascular p.), external pressures acting on vessel outside (extravascular p.).
- Overall - Transmural p.
- Determines whether vessel stays the same size, distends, or collapses
What is Transmural pressure?
- Transmural pressure = Intravascular pressure - Extravascular pressure
- Determines distensibility of vessels, especially veins
Describe how distensibility of tubes affects the relationship between flow and pressure and can lead to capacitance.
- Vessels distends with increasing intravascular pressure, transiently more blood will flow in than out
- Distensible vessel will store blood (Capacitance)
- Veins particularly compliant, holds 70-80% of circulating blood volume
Describe the relationship between Radius and Resistance + Flow
- Flow is proportional to r^4
* Resistance is inversely proportional to r^4
What does Boyle’s Law state?
At a given temperature, the pressure and volume of an ideal gas are inversely proportional.
P1V1 = P2V2
What layers make up the Intercostal muscles?
- External Intercostal muscle
- Internal Intercostal muscle
- Innermost Intercostal muscle
- All muscles arranged in different directions, range of motions for function
What is the Superior Thoracic Aperture?
Uppermost area of thoracic cavity, open, allows continuity with structures in the neck
Describe the Inferior thoracic aperture
The inferior-most part of the thoracic cage, closed by diaphragm but still allows some structures to pass through e.g. oesophagus, IVC, Aorta
Describe the diaphragm attachments
- Lumbar vertebrae
- Transverse processes of L1
- Ribs
- Costal Margin
- Inferior part of sternum
Describe the Pleural Layers from Innermost to Outermost
- Serous membrane covering lungs and thoracic cavity
- Visceral Pleura adheres tightly to lungs
- Pleural Cavity containing small amount of pleural fluid
- Parietal pleura lining mediastinum, diaphragm, ribcage
Describe the function of Pleural fluid in the Pleural cavity
- During ventilation, a lot of movement + stretching of pleural layers
- Potential friction if no fluid present to ensure smooth sliding of layers over one another
- Only few ml, regulated by lymphatic system
What is the mechanism by which air moves during breathing?
Bulk flow
From high pressure to low pressure
How does Boyle’s Law relate to Ventilation?
As Pressure and Volume of an ideal gas are inversely proportional at a given temperature, lungs must create a pressure difference in order to bring air in
Explain the intrapleural pressure
- Pressure within the pleural cavity (lies between visceral and parietal pleura)
- Held at sub-atmospheric/negative pressure -4mmHg normally
- Due to outward elastic recoil of chest wall/ribcage + Inward elastic recoil of the lungs.
What is meant by Transpulmonary pressure
- Difference in pressure between alveoli and pleural cavity
- Measure of elastic forces in lungs that tend to collapse the lungs at each instance of respiration = Recoil pressure
What is meant by Transthoracic pressure?
- Difference in pressure between pleural cavity and thoracic cavity
What is meant by negative and positive pressure for ventilation?
- Negative pressure sucks air in
* Positive pressure is to blow air in e.g. when trying to assist pt via mechanical ventilation, mouth to mouth, CPAP
Describe the components to the Mechanics of Breathing
- Pressure differences that generate air flow
2. The respiratory muscles that effect pressure differences
What muscles are required during quiet breathing.
Inspiration - Diaphragm
Expiration - Passive
What muscles are required during deep breathing/forced expiration?
- Inspiration: Diaphragm, External intercostal muscles, scalenes (when upright)
- Expiration: Internal and innermost intercostal muscles, Anterior abdominal wall
Explain the process of Quiet inspiration
- Diaphragm contracts, flattens and moves down, pulling parietal pleura with it
- Ribcage expands and moves outwards and upwards
- Volume of thoracic and pleural cavity increases
- Decreases intrapleural pressure
- Intrapleural pressure exceeds elastic recoil of lungs
- Increase in lung volume
- Decrease in alveolar pressure to ~-3mmHg
- Negative pressure gradient sucking air into lungs
- Alveolar pressure returns to 0mmHg, equal to atmospheric pressure
Describe the basic concept of quiet expiration (2)
- Passive
* Elastic recoil of the lungs
Explain Quiet Expiration
- Diaphragm relaxes
- Decreased Thoracic cavity volume
- Decreased Pleural Space Volume
- Increased Intrapleural pressure (-4 mmHg)
- Decreased lung volume due to elastic recoil of lungs
- Increased alveolar pressure ~1-3 mmHg. Expels air from lungs until reaches atmospheric pressure
Process of Forced Inspiration
- Same mechanisms as quiet inspiration but with further assistance of accessory muscles
- External intercostal muscles contract upwards and outwards, to increase lateral diameter of chest and anterior posterior diameter of thorax.
- Sternocledomastoid muscle contracts to elevate sternum and medial ends of clavicle
- Scalene muscle group help pull ribcage upwards by elevating first two ribs, increasing diameter of chest
- Leading to larger change in intra-thoracic volume and pressure
Process of Forced Expiration
- Active process
- Abdominal muscles contract to increase intra-abdominal pressure by decreasing intra-abdominal volume
- Pressure of abdominal organs forces diaphragm upwards and depresses lower ribs
- Also assisted by internal and innermost intercostal muscle contraction
- Some action of pelvic floor muscles
- Decreases volume of thorax, further expelling air from lungs
Define Lung Compliance
- A measure of how volume changes as a result of the pressure change / The ability of the lungs to expand
- Compliance of Lungs and Chest wall is inversely correlated with their elastic properties
- Respiratory muscles must overcome this during inspiration and expiration
Describe the factors that affect lung compliance
- Chest wall - elasticity of the thorax
- lungs - elastic tissues of the lungs + surface tension
Define elasticity in terms of lung compliance
The resistance to stretch And ability of a structure to return to its normal shape and size. Opposite of compliance
What are the basic functions of the respiratory system? (4)
- Provides Oxygen to body
- Eliminates carbon dioxide
- Moistens, warms, filters air we breathe
- Allows air to reach lungs
What are the functional divisions of the respiratory tract? What are their functions
- Conducting zone - Warm, humidify, and filter air as moves through respiratory tract
- Respiratory zone - Gas exchange
What makes up the Conducting zone of the respiratory tract?
Airways from level of the pharynx, larynx, trachea, extending down to terminal bronchioles
What makes up the Respiratory zone of the respiratory tract?
Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs
Describe the main histological features of the Nasal Cavity - Nasal Mucosa.
- Surface epithelium: Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- Basement membrane
- Lamina propria (rich vascular network)
- Submucosa: Contains Seromucous glands (secrete fluid that moistens air - streaks of pink inside ducts purple), Acinar secretory units (purple)
What cells types are found in the Nasal Mucosa?
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium, some goblet cells embedded.
What are the function of cilia in the nasal mucosa?
Cellular projections, sweep away particulates from the lungs
What are the function of seromucous glands in the nasal submucosa?
Secrete watery mucus to filter and warm air
What does the nasal submucosa consist of?
- Dense connective tissue
* Submucosa contains glands, blood and lymph vessels and lymph tissue
What is the role of goblet cells?
Produce mucus, helps to filter and humidify inhaled air
What is the Larynx?
- Short passageway between nasal cavity and trachea, supported by cartilage to maintain open airway.
- Contains skeletal muscle connected to ligaments
- Ligaments vibrate two sets of vocal folds (/cords) to produce sound (phonation)
What vocal cords/folds are found in the larynx? How are they identified in histology?
- Vocal (true) cord - Inferior - Underlying core of skeletal muscle (vocalis muscle)
- Vestibular (false) vocal cord - Superior - No muscle, lymph tissue and seromucous glands
What are the functions of the larynx folds in phonation (producing sound)
- Vocal (true) cord - Produces sound during phonation
- Vestibular (false) vocal cord - Produces resonance during phonation
What epithelium do the larynx folds consist of
- True cord - Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium (protect from abrasion)
- Vestibular (false) vocal cord - Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Also contains lymph tissue and seromucous glands
What are the components of a vocal (true) fold?
- Skeletal vocalis muscle
- Lined with non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What are the components of vestibular (false) folds
- Respiratory epithelium
- Glands
- Connective tissue
What type of muscle is the vocalis muscle
Skeletal muscle of the true vocal cord of larynx
What is the Trachea? What is its main characteristic?
- Passageway for air between larynx and lungs
- Characterised by C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage that maintain open lumen for passage of air
- Located anterior to oesophagus but deep to great vessels of heart
Describe the main histological features of the trachea
- Respiratory epithelium: Ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with embedded goblet cells
- Basement membrane
- Lamina Propria - Smooth muscle with blood vessels
- Submucosa - Dense and regular, helps anchor perichondrium of hyaline cartilage
- C-shaped rings of Hyaline cartilage
- Trachealis muscle - connects cartilage on posterior surface of trachea
Describe function of trachealis muscle of the trachea
- Regulate diameter of tracheal opening
* Relaxes as food passes through oesophagus during swallowing.
What is the perichondrium of the trachea?
Outer layer of cells surrounding hyaline cartilage
What is the function of hyaline cartilage in the trachea?
Supports trachea to prevent it collapsing
Forms C-shaped ring. Thicker towards anterior aspect, narrower toward posterior aspect
Outer layers = Perichondrium
Describe the bronchial tree
- Trachea splits into 2 primary (main) bronchi
- Within each lung, bronchus splits into smaller secondary (lobar) bronchi
- Tertiary (segmental) bronchi
- Bronchioles (Respiratory –> Terminal)
- Alveolar ducts are passageways connect respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs
- One alveolar sac opens to cluster of alveoli at end of bronchial tree
Describe the main histological features of the main bronchi
- Respiratory epithelium with goblet cells
- Lamina Propria - Blood vessels
- Smooth muscle cells
- Submucosa
- Hyaline cartilage rings/plates - Support larger bronchi from collapse, decrease towards tertiary bronchi, irregular hyaline cartilage.
Describe the main histological features of the most distal bronchioles
- Respiratory epithelium transitions to > ciliated simple columnar epithelium > simple cuboidal epithelium as gets closer to terminal bronchiole
- Smooth muscle - Can change diameter
- Elastic fibers - Allow bronchioles to stay open
- Adventitia - Connective tissue anchors functional tissue (parenchyma) of lungs within thorax
Describe the main histological features of alveoli
- Type I pneumocyte - Squamous cells that form walls of alveoli, contribute to blood-air barrier
- Type II pneumocyte - Cuboidal cells bulge into air space, rounded nuclei light staining, many vesicles, secrete surfactant.
- Interalveolar septum - Wall that separates adjacent alveoli
- Macrophages
- Endothelial cells - Inner lining of capillaries
Where are goblet cells located within the respiratory tract? Histologically
Between epithelial cells in mucosa
Where are seromucous glands located within the respiratory tract? Histologically
In the submucosa
What is the alveolus?
Functional unit of respiration
Composed of two types of cells: Type 1 and 2 pneumocytes
What feature of the bronchial wall helps to keep the bronchi open during respiration?
Hyaline cartilage ring, particularly during inspiration
As you move from primary to tertiary bronchi, which change do you notice regarding the amount of hyaline cartilage present?
Decreases - Larger airways require more rigid cartilage to stop from collapsing during breathing. Physical constraints of smaller airways mean they cannot contain as much rigid cartilage as larger airways
How does proportion of goblet cells and seromucous glands change moving from primary to tertiary bronchi?
Decreases - Mucus cleared via mucociliary clearance. Further into respiratory tract, harder to clear mucus from airways due to distance mucus must be moved to clear and smaller lumen radius.
As you move form primary to tertiary bronchi, which change would you note regarding the amount of smooth muscle present?
Increases - Amount of smooth muscle in walls of tertiary bronchi is greater than primary bronchi. Helps stabilise the cartilage and allows greater control of size of bronchial lumen.
Is there cartilage in the bronchioles?
No. Bronchioles small enough to stay open without support from cartilage
What structural components allow bronchioles to stay open as we breathe?
Smooth muscle and elastic fibres
Why does amount of smooth muscle change as you move deeper into respiratory tract?
- Decrease in cartilage, relative smooth muscle increases
* Helps stabilise cartilage and allows greater control over size of bronchial lumen
What is the role of macrophages in alveoli?
Roam alveoli and phagocytose foreign material
Which type of cells line the alveolar capillaries?
Endothelial cells
Define the term diffusion
Movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Define the term partial pressure
The pressure exerted by one gas in a mixture of gases. Analogous to the concentration of the gas within a mixture of gases.
What is Fick’s Law of Diffusion
- For any Pressure Gradient, the rate of diffusion across a membrane is determined by
- Area available
- Thickness of the membrane
- Properties of the gas
Outline the principles underlying Fick’s law
- Rate of diffusion is
- Directly proportional to: Partial pressure difference, solubility of the gas, surface area of alveoli.
- Inversely proportional to: Resistance of the alveolar membrane, Molecular weight of the gas
Gases diffuse through liquids at a rate proportional to their solubility. Which gas has a higher tissue solubility and high rate of diffusion?
Carbon dioxide has a much higher tissue solubility and on this basis diffuses ~20 times faster than O2
Gases diffuse through liquids at a rate proportional to their solubility. Which gas has a higher tissue solubility and high rate of diffusion?
Carbon dioxide has a much higher tissue solubility and on this basis diffuses ~20 times faster than O2
Gases diffuse through liquids at a rate proportional to their solubility. Which gas has a higher tissue solubility and high rate of diffusion?
Carbon dioxide has a much higher tissue solubility and on this basis diffuses ~20 times faster than O2
Outline the factors determine the ability of a gas to dissolve in a liquid
- Solubility - max amount of solute that can dissolve in a volume of solvent.
- Solubility varies with changes in temperature, pressure and pH, depends on chemical properties of gas and liquid
What does the alveolar-capillary membrane consist of?
- Varies from 0.2-2.5 micrometres, consists of:
- Alveolar epithelial cells
- Fused basement membrane of alveolar epithelial cells and capillary endothelium
- Pulmonary capillary endothelial cells
List factors determining the rate of diffusion of gases across the alveolar-capillary membrane (3)
- Surface area
- Thickness
- Properties of alveolar membrane