Module 4 - Sleep-Disordered Breathing Flashcards
(131 cards)
What is the difference between breathing and respiration?
Breathing: act of pumping, inspiration and expiration
Respiration: metabolism of substrate (glucose with oxygen) in cells
What are the structures that air passes through during inspiration?
Nasal cavity
Oral cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Esophagus
Trachea
Splits into bronchi -> continues to divide ~23x
Alveoli
Lung
Describe the trachea
A 1.5-2cm diameter scaffolding of cartiladge
What is the difference in size between nasal passage and alveoli?
~1.5-2cm at nasal region
Alveolar region is ~1-2x tennis courts
What are the features of the alveolar regions to promote gas exchange?
Lots of fine capillaries along alveoli.
Blood and air become very close, only separated by some cells. Allows for maximum gas exchange.
How does the diaphragm muscle work to promote breathing?
A pump.
When contracted, thorax becomes a cylinder and causes a vacuum around lungs -> area EXPANDS -> Inspiration
When relaxed, thorax relaxes and reduces vacuum around lungs -> area REDUCES -> expiration
What is the difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation in terms of pressure and oxygen?
Pulmonary -> lungs -> LOWER pressure
Systemic circulation -> rest of the body -> HIGHER pressure
What is the pathway of blood from the heart through the pulmonary circulation?
Right side of heart ->
both lungs ->
picks up O2 and eliminates CO2 ->
returns to left atrium ->
pumped to systemic circulation
Why is the blood pressure in pulmonary circulation lower than in systemic circulation?
Because you are bringing blood close to the atmosphere (single cell separating). The capillaries can’t tolerate increased pressure.
Why does the systemic circulation system have increased blood pressure?
So it can pump blood to the entire body.
What is the difference between the circulatory control and respiratory control systems?
Circulatory: contracts without innervation
Breathing: dependent on brain (brainstem)
How does the brain control respiration?
Diaphragm is in control from the brainstem, via nerves that innervate it.
What does the nasal airway do to the air?
Like an aircon
Increased temperature
Adds moisture
How do you measure the function of breathing?
Taking arterial gasses through blood which comes directly from left ventricle from lungs.
We measure the partial pressure of blood gases from that.
What are normal arterial blood gas measurements? (Oxygen, CO2, pH, base excess, bicarb)
PaO2: 95-100mmHg
PaCO2: 40mmHg
pH: 7.4
BE: 0
Bicarb: 26 Meq/L
How much air is inhaled per minute and what is the PaCO2 and PaO2 at this volume?
~7 Litres
PaCO2: 40mmHg
PaO2: 95-100mmHg
If arterial CO2 increases, what happens to alveolar ventilation?
Decreases breathing
What is alveolar ventilation?
Amount of air reaching surface of lungs that partake in gas exchange
If PaCO2 decreases, what happens to breathing?
Breathing increases
How is PaO2 related to ventilation?
Decreased PaO2, decreased ventilation
Increased PaO2, increased ventilation
What is the relationship between PaO2 and Oxygen saturation?
Sigmoid relationship
Across wide range of PaO2, it will carry close to 100% saturation, but once around 60mmHg, haemoglobin gives up O2.
What does oximetry measure?
SaO2. The colour of red cells as they change with differential pressures
What are the varying oxygen pressures between the atmosphere, at the alveoli, in plasma and in the red cells?
Atmosphere: 150mmHg
PAO2: 100mmHg
Then O2 diffuses across membrane into the plasma
PaO2: 100mmHg
Plasma: 0.3mL/100mL
Red Cells: 20mL/100mL unless PaO2 < 60mmHg in plasma
How does haemoglobin behave if PaO2 is between 60-100mmHg?
Rapidly uptakes O2