Week 4 - Physiology Flashcards
Pulmonary mechanics is similar to
heart mechanics - gas flow instead of blood flow
Respiration is used to primarily control
CO2 - because it’s super important to control blood pH
define Gauge Scale
Any scale of measurement the has an arbitrary 0 other than the absolute
True or False - If something measures twice as much on a gauge scale, then it is twice as much
False - because zero on a gauge scale is not absolute zero
what are the two gauge scales used in pulmonary physiology?
mmHg and cmH2O
What is defined as 0 on the two gauge scales used in pulmonary physiology
atmospheric pressure = 0
A negative pressure indicates what?
that the pressure is less than atmospheric
Define the following pressures: PB, PA, PP
PB - bariatric (atmospheric) pressure… always 0, it’s the arbitrary defined 0 of the gauge scale
PA - pressure in the alveoli. Is also 0 because it is connected to PB
PP - Pressure of the pleural space
The pariaetal and plural membrane lubricate the lungs for what purpose?
to allow the membranes to easily slide along the lungs as the lungs are constantly expanding and contracting
What is the typical pressure in the PP (pleural space) and why
-5cmH2O, because the lungs and thorax are both elastic structures trying to pull away from the pleural space, thus decreasing pressure
What happens to each pressure as muscles expand the thoracic space
1) thoracic cavity increases in size, causing pleural space to expand
2) PP changes from -5 cmH2O to -10 cmH2O
3) PT increases from 5 to 10, causing slight negative in alveoli as they expand
4) air from outside flows from 0 to the slight negative in the alveoli, filling lungs with air.
Exhaling is the exact same order of steps, but opposite direction of movement and pressures
What formula is used to determine the pressure differential across the alveolar wall (PT)
PT=PA-PP
ie, at rest Pa=0 PP=-5 -> 0-(-5)=5
What drives inspiration and expiration?
PP
define lung compliance ( C )
C=ΔV/ΔP
V=volume
P=pressure
A normal graph of the relationship between pressure and volume in the longs described in terms of compliance follows what slope?
low compliance -> high compliance -> low compliance
low slope -> steep slope -> low slope
With Fibrosis, what would you expect to happen to the lung compliance curve
lower compliance
In a high compliance lung you need (more/less) pressure to reach the same volume as a normal compliance lung.
less
Emphysema is associated with what kind of lung compliance
high compliance
Rank the following in order of most to least pressure needed to achieve the same lung volume: normal compliance, low compliance, high compliance
low compliance -> normal -> high compliance
What are the partial pressures of gases in the atmosphere?
PO2=160mmHg
PCO2= 0 (used to define the partial pressure gauge scale)
Assuming constant ventilation of the alveoli, what are the gas partial pressures in the alveoli?
P02 = 100 mmHg PCO2 = 40 mmHg
True or false, given constant breathing, the partial gas pressures in arterial blood are the same is in the alveoli
True
what are the partial pressures of gasses in venous blood
PO2 = 40 mmHg PCO2 = 45 mmHg