Review of Respiratory System Concepts

A set of vocabulary flashcards to aid in the understanding of terms related to the respiratory system and lung mechanics.

Tidal Volume (VT)

The amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The maximum amount of air that the lungs can hold.

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

The total amount of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The additional amount of air that can be exhaled after the expiration of a normal tidal volume.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The additional amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal volume.

Residual Volume (RV)

The amount of air left in the lungs after a maximal exhalation.

Restrictive Lung Disease

Diseases that impede lung expansion, leading to decreased lung volumes.

Obstructive Lung Disease

Diseases that cause blockage of airflow, leading to difficulty exhaling.

Compliance

A measure of the lung's ability to stretch and expand, calculated as the change in volume divided by the change in pressure.

Airway Resistance

The resistance to airflow in the conducting airways, primarily affected by their diameter.

O2-Hb Dissociation Curve

A graph that shows the relationship between oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and the partial pressure of oxygen.

Carbon Dioxide Transport

The process of transporting carbon dioxide in the blood, which occurs via bicarbonate ions, carbaminohemoglobin, and dissolved gas in plasma.

Chloride Shift

The exchange of bicarbonate ions out of red blood cells for chloride ions from plasma.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air enters the pleural space, leading to lung collapse due to equalization of pleural and atmospheric pressure.

Transpulmonary Pressure (Ptp)

The difference in pressure between the alveolar space and the pleural space, important for lung inflation.

Pleural Pressure (Ppl)

The pressure in the pleural cavity, which is typically sub-atmospheric.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal expiration.