Respiratory and gas exchange

upper respiratory tract includes:

nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box)

lower respiratory tract includes:

trachea (windpipe), bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

Pharynx:

throat; passageway for food to the esophagus and air to the larynx

Larynx:

voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea; contains vocal cords

Bronchial tree:

Refers to bronchi and their branches

primary bronchi:

Right and left bronchus

Secondary bronchi:

Lobar bronchi: 3 on the right side, 2 on the left

Tertiary bronchi:

branches of the secondary bronchi that divide into bronchioles; also called segmental bronchi

What is the most important feature of the respiratory system?

alveoli

Alveoli:

tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases between air and blood

What is surfactant?

chemical produced in the lungs to maintain the surface tension of the alveoli and keep them from collapsing

Ventilation:

movement of air in and out of the lungs

What are the two phases of ventilation?

inhalation and exhalation

Inhalation:

breathing in

Exhalation:

breathing out

What does the brain stem monitor?

The body's oxygen demand and carbon dioxide levels and signals the respiratory system to respond to excesses or undersupply

Parasympathetic:

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy

Sympathetic:

fight or flight

Bronchoconstriction:

the contraction of smooth muscle that lines the bronchial passages that results in a decreased internal diameter of the airway and increased resistance to airflow

Bronchodilation:

Widening of air passages in the lungs.

Pleural cavity:

contains the lungs

What do the visceral and parietal pleura membranes produce?

Serous secretions

Pleural effusion:

fluid in the pleural space

Lung compliance:

expansibility of the lung

Airway resistance:

Resistance to airflow in the respiratory tract.

Inspiratory reserve volume:

Amount of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal tidal volume inhalation

Tidal volume:

Amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs during a normal breath

Residual volume:

The amount of air remaining in the alveoli after expiration

Forced vital capacity:

The amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs in 1 second during forced expiration

Vital capacity:

The total volume of air that can be exhaled after maximal inhalation.

Total lung capacity:

the sum of vital capacity and residual volume

Two types of circulation:

pulmonary and systemic

Pulmonary circulation:

flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart

Systemic circulation:

circulation that supplies blood to all the body except to the lungs

Arteries:

carry oxygenated blood and veins carry deoxygenated blood. EXCEPT pulmonary blood vessels

Myocardial blood flow:

systole and diastole

Systolic:

Blood pressure in the arteries during contraction of the ventricles.

Diastole:

Relaxation of the heart

Stroke volume:

The amount of blood ejected from the heart in one contraction.

Preload:

volume of blood in ventricles at end of diastole

Afterload:

The force or resistance against which the heart pumps.

Contractility:

ability to shorten

Electrical conduction:

muscle contractions occurring due to electrical conduction

Crackles:

fine, crackling sounds made as air moves through wet secretions in the lungs

Wheezing:

High pitched sound heard in the lungs with asthmatics or lung disease

Rhonchi:

Rattling noise of mucous in the lungs

Stridor:

strained, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration caused by obstruction in the pharynx or larynx

Hypoxemia:

low amount of oxygen in the blood

Hypoxia:

Low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood

Dyspnea:

difficulty breathing

Tachypnea:

fast breathing

Tachycardia:

fast heart rate

Bradycardia:

slow heart rate

Cyanosis:

bluish discoloration of the skin

Intercostal retractions:

The muscles are pulled inward between the intercostal spaces during inhalation

Hyperventilation:

increased rate and depth of breathing

Hypoventilation:

decreased rate or depth of air movement into the lungs

Pulse oximetry:

noninvasive method of measuring oxygen in the blood by using a device that attaches to the fingertip

Oxygen therapy:

the administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs

Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2):

percentage or concentration of oxygen delivered

Flowmeter:

device used to set the prescribed rate of oxygen

Oxygen toxicity:

A condition of excessive oxygen consumption resulting in cellular and tissue damage.

COPD (Emphysema):

• Alveoli walls break down—surface area for respiratory exchange is greatly reduced

• Lungs lose elasticity

• Results in air being trapped in lungs, reducing effectiveness of normal breathing

COPD (Chronic Bronchitis):

• Bronchiole lining inflamed

• Excess mucus produced

• Cells in bronchioles that normally clear away mucus accumulations are unable to do so

Asthma:

episodes of breathing difficulty due to narrowed or obstructed airways

Nasal Cannula:

A device that delivers low concentrations of oxygen through two prongs that rest in the patient's nostrils.

High flow nasal cannula:

up to 60 L/min

Simple face mask:

an oxygen-delivery apparatus used for patients who require a moderate flow rate for a short period of time via a plastic mask that fits snugly over the mouth and nose

Partial rebreather mask:

a face mask and reservoir oxygen bag with no one-way valve to the reservoir bag so some exhaled air mixes with the oxygen; used in some patients to help preserve carbon dioxide levels in the blood to stimulate breathing

Non-rebreather mask:

allows higher levels of oxygen to be added to the air taken in by the patient

Venturi mask:

A face mask and reservoir bag device that delivers specific concentrations of oxygen by mixing oxygen with inhaled air.

Face tent:

a soft, oxygen-delivery mask that fits under the patient's chin, loosely covers the mouth and nose, and is held in place by an adjustable elastic strap

Endotracheal tube:

a catheter inserted into the trachea to provide or protect an airway

Tracheostomy:

creation of an artificial opening into the trachea

Incentive spirometer:

Device to encourage deep breathing post-surgery.

Flutter valve:

a breathing therapy device used to assist in clearing mucus, preventing atelectasis and reduce air trapping in the lungs

Postural drainage:

use of body positioning to assist in removal of secretions from specific lobes of the lung, bronchi, or lung cavities

Chest drainage system:

the use of a chest tube and closed drainage system to re-expand the lung and to remove excess air, fluid, or blood

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