Wurpel Concepts

Question 1

What does activation of alpha 2 receptors do?

Answer 1

Causes vasoconstriction that reduces blood flow into the capillary bed of the nasal mucosa, reducing the ECF that is associated with congestion and rhinorrhea.

Question 2

What does activation of alpha 1 receptors do?

Answer 2

Causes vasoconstriction that reduces volume of blood in the mucosa and the mucosa volume leading to decreased congestion

Question 3

What do asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis have in common?

Answer 3

Increased airway resistance
Increased inspiratory effort
Bronchoconstriction

Question 4

What is Poiseulle’s law?

Answer 4

Resistance is the inverse of radius to the fourth power.

Question 5

What is Poiseulle’s law?

Answer 5

Resistance is the inverse of radius to the fourth power.

A tiny decrease in airway diameter leads to a tremendous increase in resistance.

Question 6

What happens in bronchoconstriction?

Answer 6

Release of prostaglandins.
Occurs when there is parasympathetic activity.
Increase in T-cells: cytokines and lymphokines
Increase in mucus/phagocytes

Question 7

What happens in airway hyper-responsivity?

Answer 7

Inflammation & immune invasion

Goblet cells -> complement fixation -> forms broncho fragments that are bronco contrictory

IgE receptor increase -> inc. mast cells -> increase in bronchocontrictory and pro-inflammatory mediators

Denudation: Muco-cilliary clearance decreases and the irritant receptors are exposed (J receptors)