Ventilation and lung capacity Flashcards
what is breathing controlled by?
a part of the brain, Medulla Oblongata, that detects the concentration of CO2.
Key players of ventilation
Intercostal muscles & ribs
Diaphragm
Lungs
What does your body do
with the Nitrogen you breathe in?
Nitrogen is exhaled with carbon dioxide
What happens to your ribs/diaphragm during inhalation?
Ribs expand, diaphragm and intercostal muscles contracts (is pulled down)
What happens to your ribs/diaphragm during exhalation?
Ribs get smaller, diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax
what happens during inhalation
Diaphragm contracts causing it to shorten and flatten.
External intercostal muscles contract and pull ribs upward and outward.
Both actions increase the volume of thoracic cavity resulting in pressure drop.
Since atmospheric pressure is higher, air rushes into lungs.
What happens during Exhalation
Diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relaxes and returns to resting position.
This decrease volume of thoracic cavity resulting in pressure increase.
Since pressure in lungs is higher, air rushes out of lungs.
Total lung capacity
The maximum volume of air that can be inhaled during a single breath
Tidal volume
The volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal, involuntary breath
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
The volume of air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal inhalation
Expiratory Reserve Volume
The volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation
Residual Volume
The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation
Vital Capacity
The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled or exhaled, average is 3-5 Litres
