Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

BHSC 2203 - Patho > Unit 6 - Respiratory System > Flashcards

Unit 6 - Respiratory System Flashcards

(80 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the two membranes of the pleura?

A
  1. Parietal pleura

2. Visceral pleura (against the lungs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the space called between the parietal and visceral pleura?

A

Pleural space

- contains a little fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is each lung surrounded by?

A

Pleural cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the functions of the pleurae and pleural fluid (3)?

A
  1. Reduction of friction
  2. Creation of pressure gradient
  3. Compartmentalization
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Regarding the atmospheric, pleural and alveolar pressures, which is greatest? which is lowest?

A

P(atm) > P(alv) > P(pl)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why is it important that atmospheric pressure is greater than alveolar pressure?

A

So we can breathe in!

- pressure goes from HIGH to LOW

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why doesn’t the atmospheric pressure collapse the lungs?

A

Because of pleural pressure

- pleural pressure is lower than alveolar pressure and keeps the alveoli INFLATED

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why might breathing become impossible if there is inflammation of the pleura?

A

This would increase the pressure of the pleura, collapsing the alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the benefit of compartmentalization of the lungs?

A

Helps to prevent/reduce the spread of infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does the upper respiratory tract consist of (3)?

A
  1. Nasopharynx
  2. Oropharynx
  3. Larynx
    (Sometimes trachea is included too)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does the lower respiratory tract consist of (4)?

A
  1. Trachea
  2. L and R primary bronchi
  3. Bronchioles
  4. Lungs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is extrathoracic? (Where is it?)

A

Trachea and UP!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is intrathoracic?

Where is it?

A

Bronchi and DOWN!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the 3 functions of the upper respiratory tract?

A
  1. Filters incoming air
  2. Humidifies incoming air
  3. Warms incoming air
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why is it important that air is humidified on the way INTO the lungs?

A

So that when you exhale air from the lungs, you don’t lose any more moisture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does the tracheobronchial tress consist of?

A
  1. Trachea
  2. Bronchi
  3. Terminal bronchioles
    - 23-28 branches of conducting tubes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How are conducting tubes different than alveoli?

A

Conducting tubes cannot exchange air between the blood and the airway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where along the respiratory tract is smooth muscle present?

A

Wall of the bronchi and bronchioles
- amount of smooth muscles increases distally to the small bronchi then decreases and is eventually absent at the respiratory bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Where along the respiratory tract is cartilage present?

A

In the wall of the trachea and bronchi

- amount of cartilage decreases distally and disappears in the terminal bronchioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does smooth muscle in the wall of the bronchi and bronchioles help to control?

A

Airway conductance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the functional role of the smooth muscle around the airways?

A

Prevent inhalation of toxic, pollen, dust, etc.
- If there is an irritant in the air (smoke, dust, glass particles), if the airways don’t constrict, the person will suffer a lot of damage to the airways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the role of tracheobronchial epithelium?

A

Mucus-secreting ciliated epithelium

  • Traps particles
  • Cilia beat to expel trapped particles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What happens to tracheobronchial epithelium if you are a chronic smoker?

A

Metaplasia: epithelium

  • stratified squamous epithelium (cannot produce mucus)
  • higher risk of respiratory infections
  • ability to filter is reduced
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Where does gas exchange take place?

A
  • Respiratory bronchioles

- Alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the function of elastic and collagen fibers in alveoli?
``` Collagen = restricts stretch (can't over-inflate) Alveoli = ability to recoil ```
26
What happens to the connective tissue of alveoli in COPD (emphysema)?
Fibers are getting destroyed - ability to prevent over-inflation is lost as well as ability to recoil - alveoli get BIG!
27
Describe the relationship between alveoli and blood vessels.
When an alveoli is open, there is blood flow. | When an alveoli is closed, the blood vessels collapse (poor blood flow through lungs)
28
What facilitates gas exchange between the alveolar lumen and the blood?
Thin membrane | - intimate contact with a rich network of capillaries
29
What do Type 1 alveolar cells do? What do they look like?
Simple squamous epithelium (FLAT CELLS) | - facilitates diffusion of gases between bloodstream and alveoli)
30
What do Type 2 alveolar cells do? What do they look like?
Cuboidal (septal) cells | - secrete surfactant
31
What do alveolar macrophages do? What is another name for them?
Engulf foreign particles in the lungs | - also called dust cells
32
How thick is the endothelium of the capillaries and the alveolar epithelium combined?
0. 1 - 1.5 MICRO meters | - allows for optimal diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide
33
How does pneumonia affect diffusion across the alveolar epithelium?
Fluid is in alveoli - increases thickness of the membrane - makes it harder for gases to diffuse across
34
What are the 4 normal respiratory functions?
1. Alveolar ventilation 2. Alveolar perfusion 3. Alveolar-capillary diffusion 4. Gas transport in circulation
35
What is ventilation?
The act of driving air in and out of the lungs
36
What is perfusion?
Adequate blood supply to the alveoli
37
What is diffusion?
Gas movement (down concentration gradients) from alveolar space to blood
38
Lung ventilation is dependent on which two things?
1. Lung compliance | 2. Action of respiratory muscles - (chest compliance)
39
What is chest compliance?
Allows the chest to be expanded
40
What is lung compliance?
Allows the lungs to be expanded
41
What are the two main muscles of ventilation?
1. Diaphragm | 2. External Intercostal muscles
42
What happens when the diaphragm contracts?
It pulls DOWNWARD - increasing the volume of the chest - pressure in chest decreases
43
What are the accessory muscles of inhalation (forced inhalation)?
1. Scalene | 2. Sternocleidomastoid
44
What are the accessory muscles of exhalation (forced exhalation)?
1. Internal intercostals | 2. Abdominal muscles
45
True or False: | During quiet breathing only inhalation requires energy
True | - muscles that assist in exhalation are only used during FORCED exhalation
46
Describe the mechanics of ventilation
1. Contraction of diaphragm increase volume of thoracic cavity (pulled downwards) 2. Contraction of external intercostals raises ribs
47
What is tidal volume?
Normal breath in and out | = approx 500 mL
48
Describe inspiratory reserve volume
Volume you can force IN at the end of the normal inhalation | = approx 3100 mL
49
Describe expiratory reserve volume
Volume that you can force OUT at the end of a normal exhalation = approx 1100 mL
50
What is the residual volume?
Volume that is leftover inside the lungs after a forced exhalation
51
What is the vital capacity? How is it calculated?
Maximum capacity that you can inhale and exhale (tidal volume + inspiratory and expiratory reserve volumes)
52
What is the total lung capacity?
Maximum amount of air that the lungs can contain
53
What is the forced expiratory volume (FEV) used for?
Used to determine if a patient has an obstructive pulmonary disorder
54
How is FEV calculated (forced expiratory volume)? In a healthy adult, what should this number be?
% of vital capacity exhaled over time | - 75%-85% in 1 sec
55
How is the minute respiratory volume (MRV) calculated?
Amount of air drawn into the lungs in 1 minute | = Tidal volume x RR
56
What is the ratio between ventilation and perfusion?
1: 1 - maintained even if we are exercising - IF there is a mismatch in the ration, there is a problem with ventilation or circulation
57
How easy it is for the lungs to inflate is dependent on what 3 things?
1. Elastin and collagen fibres 2. Water content 3. Surface tension
58
What do elastin and collagen fibres do for the lungs?
``` Elastin = ability to recoil Collagen = prevent over inflation ```
59
What happens if there is too much water content in the lungs?
More water = harder to breathe | - it is easier to inflate a lung that is NOT filled with water
60
Why does water have a high surface tension?
Because of the hydrogen bonds between the molecules
61
What does surfactant do in the lungs? How?
Reduces surface tension | - acts as a mechanism to break apart some of the hydrogen bonds in H2O
62
Why is it that babies who are born prematurely have a hard time breathing?
Because surfactant is developed VERY late in pregnancy | - preemies don't have a lot of it (or ANY!)
63
True or False: | Anything that increases the thickness of the membrane of the alveoli will decrease diffusion
True | - compromises gas exchange
64
What factors affect alveolar-capillary diffusion (3)?
1. Permeability 2. Surface area 3. Concentration gradient of the gas
65
What is the normal partial pressure of oxygen in the blood?
80 mmHg (arterial blood)
66
What is the normal range for the amount of oxygen that is bound to hemoglobin (oxyhemoglobin levels)?
97 - 99% | - 95% saturation is acceptable in subjects with normal hemoglobin levels
67
What happens to the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin as partial pressure of oxygen increases?
Binding levels increase too | when partial pressure is low, oxygen saturation and binding is low
68
As partial pressure increases, will oxygen saturation level ALWAYS increase?
NO! | = there is a maximum level of oxygen saturation (100%)
69
What is easier to measure, oxygen saturation or partial pressure of oxygen?
Oxygen saturation
70
If the oxygen saturation level is 98%, what SHOULD the partial pressure of oxygen be?
80 mmHg
71
What is the normal partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood?
35 - 45 mmHg
72
What is the most common form that carbon dioxide is transported in, in the body?
Bicarbonate ion | Carbonic acid Bicarbonate ion + H+ ion
73
What happens to carbon dioxide levels as you breathe out?
- decrease levels of CO2 | - decrease levels of carbonic acid, raising your blood pH
74
What is the function of CENTRAL chemoreceptors?
- measures partial pressure of CO2 and pH in cerebrospinal fluid
75
When do the central chemoreceptors increase respirations?
1. When PCO2 increases OR | 2. pH decreases (more acidic)
76
What happens if chemoreceptors are exposed to the same stimulus over an extended period of time?
They adapt | - become less sensitive to the stimulus
77
What is the function of PERIPHERAL chemoreceptors?
Measure partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood
78
When do periopheral chemoreceptors increase respirations?
When partial pressure of oxygen is < 60 mmHg
79
What is more influential in affecting/regulating breathing - CO2 or O2?
CO2 (central chemoreceptors) | - if there is an adaptation of central chemoreceptors, peripheral receptors will take over
80
Which receptors (central or peripheral) are FASTER but not as strong at regulating breathing?
Peripheral

BHSC 2203 - Patho (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions