What structures contribute to the respiratory pump?
Bones (ribs and sternum), muscles (diaphragm and intercostals), pleura, nerves.
What structures make up the conducting airways?
Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, terminal bronchioles.
What is the function of the conducting airways?
To filter, warm, humidify and conduct air to the lungs.
What is respiratory epithelium?
Pseudo-stratified, columnar, ciliated, interspersed with goblet cells.
Where is the resistance greatest in the airway?
In the trachea - the trachea is longer (length adds resistance) and there is only one of it (branching decreases resistance).
What equation can be used to demonstrate resistance of an airway?
Poiseuille’s law: R = 8ƞl / πr^4.
ƞ = viscosity, l = length
Briefly describe inspiration.
Inspiration is an active process. The external intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract. The volume of the thoracic cavity increases and you get a negative intra-thoracic pressure; air is drawn in.
What is the ‘pump handle’ representing?
The movement of the sternum. In inspiration the sternum moves anteriorly and superiorly.
What is the ‘bucket handle’ representing?
The movement of the rib cage. In inspiration the rib cage moves upwards and outwards.
Briefly describe expiration.
Expiration is usually passive. The ribs move down and in, the diaphragm relaxes. The intra-thoracic volume decreases and the pressure increases. Air is forced out.
Which muscles are involved in active expiration?
The internal intercostals; these muscles contract pulling the ribcage inwards and downwards.
What is V/Q mismatch?
When the perfusion of blood in capillaries isn’t matching the ventilation of the alveoli.
What is it called when you have a high V/Q ratio?
Dead space. Lots of ventilation but no perfusion.
What is a cause of a high V/Q ratio (dead space)?
Pulmonary embolism.
What is it called when you have a low V/Q ratio?
Shunt. Lots of perfusion but no ventilation.
What is a cause of a low V/Q ratio (shunt)?
Pulmonary oedema.
What is perfusion of pulmonary capillaries dependent on?
Does the apex of the lung have a high or a low V/Q? Why?
High - effect of gravity, far more perfusion at the base of the lung.
What are the 7 layers for gas exchange?
Name 4 causes of hypoxia.
Name 4 causes of hypercapnia.
What is the alveolar gas equation?
PAO2 = PiO2 - (PaCO2/R)
What is Dalton’s law?
In a mixture of non reacting gases Ptotal = Pa + Pb. (P total is the sum of the pressures of individual gases).
What is Boyle’s law?
Pressure and Volume are inversely proportional:
P1V1 = P2V2.