Respiratory Flashcards
(119 cards)
What makes up the respiratory pump?
Collection of thorax, muscle, nerves, airways and pleura involved in respiration
What muscles are involved in inspiration?
- Diaphragm
- External intercostal
When are accessory muscles used in respiration and name some
During laboured breathing i.e. asthma attack or exercise.
- Scalene muscle: In neck, lifts ribs.
- Sternocleidomastoid muscle: Sternum and clavicle to mastoid process, lifts ribs
- Trapezius: In shoulders, pulls scapula to expand thorax
Describe inspiration
- Diaphragm contracts and moves down
- External intercostal muscles contract to lift rib cage
- Causes increase volume so decrease in pressure
- Pleural cavity decreases in pressure, increasing transpulmonary pressure
- When alveolar pressure < atmospheric pressure, air moves into lungs
Describe expiration
- Passive process due to lungs’ elasticity
- Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax, diaphragm moves up, rib cage moves back down
- Causes decrease in volume so increase in pressure of thorax
- Pressure increases in pleural cavity, so decreases in tranpulmonary.
- When alveolar pressure > atmospheric pressure, air moves out of lungs.
Which nerves are involved in respiration?
- Motor:
Phrenic (C3, 4, 5) for diaphragm
Thoracolumbar nerve roots for external intercostal
Describe the pleura of the lungs
- Parietal pleura on outside
- Visceral pleura on inside
- Pleural cavity filled with fluid in between
Describe the role of the pleura in respiration
- Lubrication for smooth movement when expanding/relaxing
- Decrease pressure in inspiration to increase transpulmonary pressure
- Increase pressure in expiration to decrease transpulmonary pressure
What respiratory sensors are in the pons?
Pneumotaxic centre, apneustic centre
What respiratory sensors are in the medulla?
Dorsal respiratory groups and ventral respiratory groups
What is the role of the pneumotaxic centre?
Inhibits apneustic centre to promote expiration
What is the role of the apneustic centre?
Stimulates DRG
What is the role of the dorsal respiratory groups?
Fires in bursts to cause respiratory muscle contraction. When stops = passive expiration
What is the role of the ventral respiratory groups?
Active in forced breathing. Initially stimulated when DRG activates accessory muscles, then VRG takes over at this point.
What do peripheral chemoreceptors respond to?
- Hypoxia (decreased pO2)
- Hypercapnia (increased pCO2)
- Some detect pH of blood
What are the sensors in the upper airway and where are they found?
- Nose, nasopharynx, larynx: Chemo and mechanoreceptors
- Pharynx: Receptors activated by swallowing (to stop respiration)
Where are slowly adapting stretch receptors (SASR) found?
Smooth muscle of airways
What are slowly adapting stretch receptors (SASR) activated by?
Lung distension
What is the response of slowly adapting stretch receptors (SASR) when activated?
Inhibition of respiration
Where are rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RASR) found?
Between airway epithelial cells
What are rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RASR) activated by?
- Lung distension
- Irritants
What is the response of rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RASR) when activated?
Bronchoconstriction
What are C fibres J receptors activated by?
Increase in interstitial fluid
What response do C fibres J receptors have when activated?
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Bronchoconstriction