Physiology Flashcards
(178 cards)
Define a homeostatic mechanism
A regulating mechanism triggered by an alteration in physiological property or quantity, acting to produce a compensatory change in the opposite direction
What organ is responsible for the control of thermoregulation
Hypothalamus
Controls both heat production (shivering and increased voluntary effort) and heat loss (change to blood flow, sweating)
Where are temperature sensitive receptors found
Anterior hypothalamus
Below what temperature does the temperature regulatory mechanism completely fail
<30
What ECG changes can be found in hypothermia
J waves
What occurs with spinal cord injuries in regard to thermoregulation
Thermoregulatory mechanism lost below the level of injury
Vasoconstriction is lost therefore heat loss is increased
Patient is unable to shiver
What are the two types of diuresis
Water diuresis - where there is excess water to the bodies requirement and so water is lost
Osmotic diuresis - where there is more solute than can be absorbed, so it is lost and due to osmosis so is water
How is body osmolality controlled
Adjustments in the secretion of ADH
Thirst mediated water intake
Why do the osmotic receptors indicating thirst have a higher threshold than the osmotic receptors involved in ADH release
It ensures that thirst is not experienced until ADH release has ensured that the water ingested is retained by the kidneys
Where is most of the filtered sodium in the kidney reabsorbed
65% proximal tubule
25% loop of Henle
What are the two important intrarenal affects of Angiotensin II
Stimulates sodium reabsorption in most nephron segments
Constricts the glomerular arterioles
Other than increased osmolality what can stimulate thirst and ADH release
Reduced arterial blood pressure - signals via carotid and aortic baroceptors
Reduced central venous pressure - signals via martial low pressure receptors
Increased angiotensin II in the brain
What is ANP released in response to
Released from the cardiac atria in response to stretch
Briefly outline RAAS
Renin, Angiotensin Aldosterone System
Renin released from the juxtaglomerular apparatus in response to reduced sodium, reduced perfusion pressure, direct sympathetic stimulation
Angiotensin I produced, cleaved to produce Angiotensin II - net effect of this is to increase TPR and BP
Stimulates hypothalamus - thirst reflex and posterior pituitary - ADH release
Angiotensin II acts on adrenal cortex to release Aldosterone
Aldosterone acts on the principal cells of the collecting ducts of the nephrons
How does ANP increase the secretion of Na
Increases GFR
Inhibits sodium reabsorption on collecting ducts
Reduces the secretion of aldosterone and renin
Causes of hypernatraemia
Water depletion - reduced intake, diuretic stage of AKI, diabetes insipidus
Sodium excess - XS sodium therapy, Conn’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, Steroid, CCF, Cirrhosis
Causes of hyperkalaemia
Renal failure
Haemolysis
Crush injuries
Tissue necrosis
Metabolic acidosis
Adrenal insufficiency
Causes of hypokalaemia
Reduced oral intake
Renal - diuretics, renal tubular disorders
GI - D+V, fistula, laxatives, villous adenoma
Endocrine - Cushing’s, steroids, hyperaldosternoism (Conns)
What are the causes of respiratory acidosis
CNS depression - head injury, drugs coma, CVA, encephalitis
Neuromuscular disease - Myasthenia graves, GBS
Skeletal disease - Kyphosis, Ank Spon, Flail chest
Artificial ventialtion
Impaired gaseous exchange - thoracic injury, obstructive airway disease, alveolar disease
What are the causes of respiratory alkalosis
Stimulation of respiratory centre - high altitude, pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, PE, feel, head injury
Increased alveolar gas exchange - hyperventilation, artificial ventilation
What are the causes of metabolic acidosis
DKA
Lactic acidosis
Septicaemia
Starvation
Renal failure
Diarrhoea
Intestinal, biliary and pancreatic fistulae
What are the causes of a metabolic alkalosis
Vomiting
Nasogastric aspiration
Gastric fistula
Diuretic therapy
Cushing’s syndrome
Conn’s syndrome
What is the normal anion gap
Between 10-19 mmol/LH
How is the anion gap calculated
(Na+ + K+) - (HCO3 - + CL - )