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Physiology 208 > Respiratory System > Flashcards

Respiratory System Flashcards

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1
Q

4 Primary Functions of Respiratory System

A
  1. exchange of gases btwn the atmosphere and blood
  2. homeostatic regulation of body pH
  3. protection from inhaled pathogens and irritating substances
  4. vocalization
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2
Q

Air Exchange Principles

A
  • occurs by bulk flow
    1. flow occurs from region of high pressure to low pressure
    2. muscular pump creates the pressure gradients
    3. resistance is primarily influenced by diameter of tubes that air flows through
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3
Q

Cellular Respiration

A
  • convert organic molecules to ATP

ex) Aerobic metabolism of glucose

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4
Q

External Respiration

A
  • the movement of gases between the environment and the cells within the body
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5
Q

4 Steps of External Respiration

A
  1. exchange I: atmosphere to lungs (ventilation)
  2. exchange II: lung to blood
  3. transport of gases in the blood
  4. exchange III: blood to cells
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6
Q

Structure Involved in Ventilation/Gas Exchange

A
  1. conducting system or airways
  2. alveoli
  3. bones and muscles of the thorax (chest cavity)
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7
Q

Lungs

A
  • composed of light spongy tissue
  • volume occupied mostly by air-filled spaces
  • right lung slightly larger
  • surrounded by pleural sac
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8
Q

Pleural Sac

A
  • double-walled, two layers

- visceral pleura and parietal pleura

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9
Q

Visceral Pleura

A
  • connected to the outside surface of the lungs
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10
Q

Parietal Pleura

A
  • connected to the inside surface of the thoracic cavity
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11
Q

Jobs of Pleural Sac

A
  1. creates moist slippery surface

2. holds lungs tight to thoracic wall

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12
Q

Airway Pathway

A
  1. air enters pharynx
  2. air flows through larynx
  3. air flows to trachea
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13
Q

Conducting Surface

A
  1. Trachea
  2. Primary Bronchi
  3. Smaller Bronchi
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14
Q

Exchange Surface

A
  1. Bronchioles

2. Alveoli

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15
Q

Velocity of Airflow

A
  • inversely proportional to total cross sectional area

V=Q/A

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16
Q

Important Role of Upper Airways and Bronchi

A
  1. Warming air to body temp
  2. Adding water vapour
  3. Filtering out foreign material
    - these are more efficient with nose breathing
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17
Q

Nasal Cavity

A
  • large surface area, rich blood supply and nasal hair

- shop of nasal airway causes particles to embed in mucus in back of pharynx and slide down esophagus

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18
Q

Air Filtration

A
  • filtered in trachea and bronchi

- contains cilia, goblet cells

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19
Q

Ciliated Cells

A
  • cilia move mucus layer toward the pharynx, removing trapped pathogens and particulate matter
  • move saline layer which pulls mucus layer
  • without saline, cilia would become embedded in thick mucus and unable to move
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20
Q

Goblet Cells

A
  • secretes mucus
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21
Q

Saline

A
  • produced by the epithelial cells

- overtop of saline is a layer of mucus

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22
Q

Mucus

A
  • contains immunoglobulins

- produced by goblet cells

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23
Q

Mucocilliary Escalator

A
  • epithelial cells contain cilia which push the mucus towards the pharynx
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24
Q

Cystic Fibrosis

A
  • autosomal recessive mutation in gene producing CFTR
  • reduced production of saline
  • mucus can’t be cleared properly, so bacteria can colonize in airways = reoccurring lung infections
  • also affects GI and pancreas
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25
Alveoli
- site of gas exchange - make up bulk of lung tissue - clustered at the ends of bronchioles - heavily vascularized (80-90% alveoli covered) and huge surface area
26
Exchange Surface of Alveoli
- endothelium layer - fused basement membrane - surfactant
27
Type I Alveolar Cell
- for gas exchange | - 95% surface area
28
Type II Alveolar Cell
- surfactant cell | - synthesizes surfactant
29
Pulmonary Circulation
- high-flow, low pressure - rate of blood flow through lungs is very high * *CO is equal in pulmonary and systemic circuit** - 25/8 vs 120/80 mmHg
30
Low Pressure of Pulmonary Circulation
- due to low resistance (shorter length circuit, more distensible and larger total cross sectional area of arterioles) - low pressure means minimal filtration of fluid out of capillaries - lymphatics remove any fluid that does get filtered and keep diffusion distance to a minimum
31
Daltons Law
- the total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is the sum of the pressure exerted by each gas - also dependent on humidity of air - partial pressure
32
Air Flow
- gases move down pressure gradients | - air moves by bulk flow: from a region of high pressure to low pressure
33
Inspiration Pressure Gradient
- alveolar pressure lower than atmospheric pressure
34
Expiration Pressure Gradient
- alveolar pressure higher than atmospheric pressure
35
Boyle's Law
- describes pressure-volume relationships P1V1=P2V2 - helps explain how a change in lung volume results in a change in lung pressure driving the bulk flow of air
36
Compression
decrease volume | increase pressure
37
Decompression
increase volume | decrease pressure
38
Spirometer
- measures lung volume changes during ventilation
39
Lung Volumes
1. Tidal Volume 2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume 3. Expiratory Reserve Volume 4. Residual Volume - don't overlap
40
Tidal Volume (TV)
~500 ml | - total ventilation during rest represents the product of tidal volume and frequency of breaths
41
Total Pulmonary Ventilation
= TV x frequency of breaths
42
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
~3000 ml | - the additional air that could still be inspired after quiet inspiration
43
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
~1100 ml | - at the end of quiet expiration, the volume of air that still remains within the lungs that can be expired
44
Residual Volume
~1200 ml - even with maximal expiratory effort air always remains in the lungs - can't be measured with spirometer
45
2 Important Functions of the Residual Volume
1. prevents airway collapse, after a collapse it takes an unusually large pressure to re-inflate it 2. it allows continuous exchange of gases
46
Lung Capacities
- made up of diff. combinations of the 4 primary volumes 1. Total Lung Capacity 2. Functional Residual Capacity 3. Inspiratory Capacity 4. Vital Capacity
47
Total Lung Capacity
- the sum of all 4 volumes
48
Functional Residual Capacity
- the capacity of air remaining in the lungs after quiet expiration, the sum of ERV and RV
49
Inspiratory Capacity
- the sum of IRV and TV representing the maximal amount of air that one can inspire
50
Vital Capacity
- the sum of IRV, TV, and ERV representing the maximal achievable tidal volume
51
Pulmonary Function Test
- involves testing an individuals forced vital capacity (FVC) and comparing it to their Forced expired volume in one second (FEV1)
52
FEV1
- is normally ~80% of vital capacity - below 80% indicative of obtrusive pulmonary disease (increased resistance) - low initial FVC indicative of restrictive pulmonary disease (decrease in lung compliance)
53
Inspiration
- occurs when alveolar pressure decreases - Boyle's Law: increase in volume will cause a decrease in pressure - use inspiratory muscles (skeletal) to increase volume of alveoli --> decrease in pressure
54
Main Inspiratory Muscle
- diaphragm | - 60-75% of inspiratory volume change
55
Movement of Rib Cage for Inspiration
- accounts for 25-40% of inspiratory volume change
56
Pump Handle Motion
- motion caused by the external intercostals of upper ribs and scalene attached to sternum
57
Bucket Handle Motion
- motion caused by external intercostals in lower ribs
58
Expiration
- occurs when alveolar pressure increases - diaphragm relaxes - thoracic volume decreases
59
Quiet Expiration
- passive | - relaxation of inspiratory muscles (external intercostals and scalene muscles)
60
Muscles of Forced Inspiration
- additional accessory/secondary muscles become activated 1. sternocleidomastoids 2. neck and back muscle 3. upper respiratory tract muscles
61
Sternocleidomastoids
- lift the sternum outward | - contributes to water pump handle effect
62
Neck and Back Muscles
- elevate pectoral girdle increasing thoracic volume and extend back
63
Upper Respiratory Tract Muscles
- decrease airway resistance | - internal muscle to help open airway
64
Muscles of Forced Expiration
- accessory muscles of forced expiration: 1. abdominal muscles 2. internal intercostals and triangular sterni 3. neck and back muscles
65
External Intercostal Muscles
- inspiration - slope obliquely btwn ribs, forward and downward - attachment to lower rib is farther forward from axis of rotation so contraction raises lower rip more than it depresses upper rib
66
Internal Intercostal Muscles
- expiration - slope obliquely btwn ribs, backward and downward - depressing upper rib more than raising lower rib
67
Pleural Sac
- between lung and thoracic wall - keeps lungs from going into natural recoiled state - keeps thoracic cavity from natural outward recoil
68
Intrapleural Pressure
~ -3 | - negative pressure at all times because of tension Pleural Sac is under at all times
69
Intrapleural Cavity
- inspiratory muscles pull parietal layer away from visceral layer - increases volume of intrapleural cavity - negative pressure
70
Decrease in Intrapleural Pressure
- pulls alveoli open | - decreases alveolar pressure and air flows in
71
When does Air Flow Stop?
- when air pressure in alveoli begins to match atmospheric pressure
72
Pneumothorax
- collapsed lungs | - an interruption in intrapleural pressure
73
Traumatic Pneumothorax
- interruption in parietal pleura | - lung goes into natural recoil
74
Spontaneous Pneumothorax
- lung and visceral pleura ruptures | - ~70% due to COPD (emphysema)
75
Lung Compliance
- degree of lung expansion at any time is proportional to the change in pressure
76
Compliance
- "stretchability" of the lungs | - determines how much any given change in P expands the lungs
77
Lung Elastance
- elastic recoil - reciprocal of compliance - the ability to resist being deformed
78
Compliance Equation
Compliance = ∆V/∆P
79
Pulmonary Fibrosis
- formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue in lungs - ex. of decreased compliance - inhalation of pollutants (metals, asbestos, certain gases) - infections - idiopathic (age, genetic predisposition)
80
Emphysema
- proteolytic enzymes secreted by leukocytes (neutrophils) attack alveolar tissue - weakens alveoli walls creating airway resistance - alveoli merge: loss of capillaries and reduction surface area - loss of lung recoil - cause: smoking
81
Surface Tension
- a determinant of compliance - a major determinant of the lungs elastic recoil (air water interface of airways) - measure of the force acting to pull a liquid's molecules together at air-water interface
82
Laplace's Equation
- surface tension | P = 2T/r
83
Relationship between Alveoli Radius and Pressure Needed
- decrease radius = higher pressure needed
84
Surfactant
- surface active agent - helps overcome surface tension: interferes with intermolecular bond of water - detergent-like molecule secreted by Type II alveolar cells - ~90% phospholipids, 10% protein - amphipathic
85
Jobs of Surfactant
1. increased compliance | 2. ensures alveoli of all size inflate
86
Rapidly Expanding Alveolus
- expands radius of 100µm to one of 150µm during inflation - greatly reduces surface density of surfactant - surface tension and elastic recoil rise, putting "brake" on expansion
87
Slowly Expanding Alveolus
- radius has only expanded from 100µm to 120µm | - surfactant is less diluted, putting less of a "brake" on expansion
88
Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- in premature infants - developmental insufficiency of surfactant production and immaturity of lungs - prevalence decreases with gestational age - prevention: glucocorticoid injection - treatment: artificial surfactant, CPAP, intubate
89
Poiseuille's Equation
- airway resistance R = 8nl / (pi)r^4 F = ∆P * (pi)r^4 / 8nl
90
Factors that Affect Airway Resistance
1. length of the system 2. viscosity of air 3. diameter of airways 4. upper airways 5. bronchioles
91
Airway Resistance: Length of the System
- constant: not a factor
92
Airway Resistance: Viscosity of Air
- usually constant | - humidity and altitude may alter slightly
93
Airway Resistance: Upper Airways
- affected by physical obstruction | - mediated by mucus and other factors
94
Airway Resistance: Bronchioles
- affected by bronchoconstriction - -> mediated by parasympathetic neurons, histamine, leukotrienes - affected by bronchodilation - -> mediated by CO2, epinephrine, beta2-receptors
95
90% of Airway Resistance Occurs in...
- trachea and bronchi | - constant (smallest total cross-sectional area)
96
Controls of Bronchoconstriction/Dilation
- paracrine control - CO2 is the major determiner of diameter - histamine - parasympathetic nerves
97
CO2 Control of Bronchoconstriction/Dilation
- high levels = dilation | - low levels = constriction
98
Histamine Control of Bronchoconstriction/Dilation
- released from mast cells bronchoconstricts
99
Parasympathetic Nerves Control of Bronchoconstriction/Dilation
- innervate bronchiole smooth muscle | - activate PLC-IP3 pathway via M3 muscarinic receptor (constriction)
100
Asthma
- constricted bronchioles - infrequent attacks: beta2-adrenergic agonist - oppose bronchoconstriction - more frequent attacks: - weekly inhaled corticosteroid
101
Efficiency of Breathing
- determined by total pulmonary ventilation: the volume of air moved into and out of the lungs each minute - normal ventilation rate = 12-20 breaths/min - tidal volume = 500 ml
102
Minute Ventilation
- volume of air moved into and out of the lungs each minute
103
Total Pulmonary Ventilation Equation
= ventilation rate x tidal volume (VT)
104
Alveolar Ventilation Equation
= ventilation rate x (tidal volume - dead space)
105
How much Air Leaves the Lungs?
- 350 mL leaves the alveoli - stale air - 150 mL is still considered as "fresh air" and left in the lungs
106
Normal Tidal Volume
- 500 mL | - alveolar ventilation = 4200 mL/min
107
Shallow Tidal Volume
- 300 mL | - alveolar ventilation = 3000 mL/min
108
Deep Tidal Volume
- 750 mL | - alveolar ventilation = 4800 mL/min
109
Maximal Voluntary Ventilation
= 125 - 175 L/min
110
Gas Composition in the Alveoli
- gas composition in the alveoli determines rate of O2 and CO2 diffusion between alveoli and capillaries
111
Why does PO2 and PCO2 Remain Constant during Quiet Respiration
- O2 entering = O2 uptake | - fresh air diluted upon entering the lungs
112
Alteration in Ventilation Rate
- independent of changes in the CV system will alter partial pressures of O2 and CO2 - alters diffusion
113
Perfusion
- the passage of fluid through CV system or lymphatic system to an organ or tissue - refers to the delivery of blood to a capillary bed in tissue
114
Ventilation and Alveolar Blood Flow Relationship
- matched - blood flow must be high enough to pick up the available O2 - wasted ventilation/perfusion
115
Local Regional Control: Gravity
- lungs have zone 1, 2, 3 | - more negative intrapleural pressure due to gravity at apex
116
Zone 1 in Lungs
- perfusion is absent
117
Zone 2 in Lungs
- perfusion is sporadic
118
Zone 3 in Lungs
- perfusion is constant
119
Gravity at Apex Means...
- alveoli are partially open even and filled at rest | - don't take much air during respiration
120
Local Control of Ventilation and Perfusion
- very little autonomic innervation of the pulmonary arterioles - pulmonary arterioles primarily influenced by decreasing O2 levels around them - bronchioles sensitive to CO2 levels
121
Decreases in O2
- causes constriction - opposite of CV system - presence of O2 sensitive K+ channels
122
Increase in PCO2
- bronchioles = dilate - pulmonary arteries = (constrict)* - systemic arteries = dilate
123
Decrease in PCO2
- bronchioles = constrict - pulmonary arteries = (dilate) - systemic arteries = constrict
124
Increase in PO2
- bronchioles = (constrict) - pulmonary arteries = (dilate) - systemic arteries = constrict
125
Decrease in PO2
- bronchioles = (dilate) - pulmonary arteries = constrict - systemic arteries = dilate
126
What Happens when a Blood Clot is Present in Arteriole
- blood clots prevent gas exchange - alveolar PO2: increase - alveolar PCO2: decrease - tissue PO2: increase - tissue PCO2: decrease - bronchiole smooth muscle constricts
127
Local Control of Ventilation/Perfusion
- gravity | - gas levels in tissues near bronchiole and arteriole smooth muscle
128
Local Control: Gravity
- causes similar regions of lungs to receive matching ventilation and perfusion
129
Local Control: Gas Levels
- bronchiole smooth muscle sensitive to CO2 | - arteriole smooth muscle sensitive to decreases in O2

Physiology 208 (11 decks)

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