Respiratory physiology - Structure and Function of the Lung

Question 1

Primary function of lungs

Answer 1

Gas exchange

Question 2

Goblet cell location

Answer 2

Airway wall surface

Question 3

Goblet cell function

Answer 3

Discharges mucus onto airway wall

Question 4

Cillia function

Answer 4

Clearance of airway mucus in mucocilliary system

Question 5

Mucus gland location

Answer 5

Deep in airway wall

Question 6

Epithelial cells of bronchus

Answer 6

Columnar

Question 7

Epithelial cells of bronchiole

Answer 7

Cuboidal

Question 8

Epithelial cells of alveolus

Answer 8

Squamous
Type 1 and Type 2

Question 9

Type 1 alveolar epithelial cells

Answer 9

Most common alveolar epithelial cell
Provides alveolar structure
Long proto-plasmic extensions

Question 10

Type 2 alveolar epithelial cells

Answer 10

Secretes surfactant (precursor) to alveolar surface
Ring of outer microvilli

Question 11

Function of alveolar macrophage

Answer 11

Cleans alveolar surface as alveoli lack mucocilliary system

Question 12

Constituents of anatomical dead space

Answer 12

Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Terminal bronchioles

Essentially all airways that don’t have any alveoli

Question 13

Approximate volume of anatomical dead space

Answer 13

150 ml

Question 14

Approximate volume of respiratory zone (alveoli)

Answer 14

3 L

Question 15

Alternate name for anatomical dead space

Answer 15

Conducting zone

Question 16

Pressure in pulmonary vasculature compared with systemic vasculature

Answer 16

Pulmonary pressures around 1/8th of systemic vascular pressure

Much lower pressure in pulmonary arterial system

Question 17

Vessel wall of pulmonary arteries

Answer 17

Thinner with less smooth muscle than systemic arteries

Question 17

Primary function of lungs

Answer 17

Gas exchange

Question 18

Polarised capillary at blood-gas barrier

Answer 18

Thin on one side and thicker on other side

Question 19

Thin side of polarised capillary function

Answer 19

Gas exchange

Question 20

Thick side of polarised capillary function

Answer 20

Fluid exchange

Question 21

What provides strength to blood-gas barrier

Answer 21

Type 4 collagen in basement membrane