Respiratory Physiology Lecture Notes

500 flashcards created for studying respiratory physiology concepts, definitions, and key terms.

Pleura

A membrane surrounding the lungs that protects and lubricates them during breathing.

Bronchi

The main airways in the lungs that divide from the trachea.

Bronchioles

Smaller airways that branch from the bronchi and lead to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Small, balloon-like structures in the lungs responsible for gas exchange.

Tidal Volume

The amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal breathing.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

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

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal breath.

Residual Volume

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

Ciliated Cells

Epithelial cells in the airways that move mucus and trapped particles out of the lungs.

Goblet Cells

Cells that secrete mucus to trap and remove particles from the airways.

Basal Cells

Stem cells in the respiratory epithelium that can differentiate into other cell types.

Neuroendocrine Cells

Cells that produce hormones to regulate airway function.

Terminal Respiratory Units (TRUs)

The smallest functional units of the lung for gas exchange, consisting of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveolar sacs.

Surfactant

A mixture of lipids and proteins produced by type II pneumocytes that reduces surface tension in the alveoli.

Laplace's Law

States that the pressure required to inflate a spherical bubble is directly proportional to surface tension and inversely proportional to the bubble's radius.

Lung Compliance

The ability of the lungs to stretch and expand in response to pressure changes.

Poiseuille's Law

Describes the relationship between pressure gradient, flow rate, and resistance in a fluid.

V/Q Ratio (Ventilation/Perfusion Ratio)

The ratio that describes the matching of ventilation and perfusion in the lungs.

Minute Ventilation

The volume of air moved in and out of the lungs in one minute.

Hering-Breuer Reflex

A reflex triggered by stretch receptors in the lungs to prevent overinflation.

Pulmonary Circulation

The system of blood vessels that carry blood to and from the lungs for gas exchange.

Partial Pressure

The pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases.

Oxygen Saturation (SaO2)

The percentage of hemoglobin molecules in arterial blood that are bound to oxygen.

Diffusion Capacity

The ability of gases to diffuse across the alveolar-capillary membrane.

Hypoxic Vasoconstriction

The constriction of pulmonary vessels in response to low oxygen levels.

Abnormal Lung Sounds

Sounds indicating respiratory issues, often detectable by auscultation.

Anatomical Dead Space

The volume of air in the conducting zones that does not participate in gas exchange.

Physiological Dead Space

The total volume of air that does not participate in gas exchange, including both anatomical dead space and non-functioning alveoli.

Flow-Volume Curve

A graphical representation to evaluate lung function during forced expiration and inspiration.

Hypercapnia

An increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Hypoxemia

A deficiency of oxygen in the blood.

Diffusion Impairment

A condition where gas transfer across alveolar-capillary membranes is reduced.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive lung disease that restricts airflow.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

A severe lung condition characterized by widespread inflammation leading to respiratory failure.

Asthma

A chronic respiratory disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system due to thick, sticky mucus.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air accumulates in the pleural space, causing lung collapse.

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

A technique used to detect and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences.

Thebesian Veins

Small venous channels that drain the myocardium directly into the chambers of the heart.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition characterized by decreased pH in the blood due to excess carbon dioxide.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A condition characterized by increased pH in the blood due to low carbon dioxide levels.

Hemoglobinopathy

A disorder caused by a change in the structure of hemoglobin.

Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch

Occurs when ventilation does not match perfusion in the lungs.

Chemotherapy-induced pulmonary toxicity

Lung damage caused by certain chemotherapy agents.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs.

Mechanical Ventilation

A method to mechanically assist or control the patient's breathing.

Oxygen Toxicity

Damage to the lungs due to excessive oxygen concentrations.

Alveolar Gas Equation

An equation used to estimate the partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli.

PA_O2 = PI_O2 - PA_CO2/R

Chronic Bronchitis

A long-term inflammation of the bronchi leading to cough and mucus production.

Emphysema

A type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease characterized by the destruction of the alveoli.

Intrapleural Pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity.

Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)

The maximum pressure that can be exerted during expiration.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches control of physiological functions.

Aerobic Exercise

Endurance exercise that improves cardiovascular fitness.

Anaerobic Exercise

Intense exercise characterized by short bursts of effort.

Hypoventilation

Reduced breathing rate leading to increased carbon dioxide levels.

Hemodilution

The dilution of blood due to an increase in plasma volume.

Desaturation

A condition where the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin decreases.

Ventilator-induced Lung Injury (VILI)

Injury to the lungs caused by mechanical ventilation.

Bronchial Hyperreactivity

Increased responsiveness of the bronchial airways to various stimuli.

Chronic Respiratory Failure

A condition where the lungs cannot provide adequate gas exchange.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

An intervention aimed at improving lung function and quality of life through education and exercise.

Systemic Inflammation

A widespread inflammatory response that can affect organs and systems.

Lung Perfusion

The flow of blood through the lung circulation.

Depresence of alveolar air

Indicators of the presence or absence of air in the alveoli.

Accumulation of pleural effusion

The collection of excess fluid in the pleural cavity.

Static Lung Volumes

Measurements used to assess lung function and capacity.

Dynamic Lung Volumes

Measurements that consider airflow rates during the respiratory cycle.

Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)

The maximum pressure that can be exerted during inspiration.

Alveolar Inflation

The process of filling the alveoli with air during breathing.

Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER)

The ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed.

Environmental Allergens

Substances that trigger allergic reactions affecting respiratory function.

Inflammation Parameters

Types of measurements used to assess the inflammatory response.

Type II Pneumocytes

Cells that produce surfactant in the alveoli.

CO2 Clearance

The process of removing carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Dynamic Compliance

The measurement of lung compliance during breathing.

Reduced Lung Capacity

A decrease in the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold.

Obstructive Lung Disease

A category of lung diseases that obstruct airflow.

Restrictive Lung Disease

A category of lung diseases that restrict lung expansion.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Tests that measure lung function and efficiency.

Cough Reflex

A protective mechanism to clear airways of irritants.

Epithelial Cells

Cells that line the respiratory tract.

Ventilatory Drive

The body's response to changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

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

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

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

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The total volume of air the lungs can hold.

Gas Exchange

The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.

Blood Gas Analysis

A test that measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

Respiratory Acidosis Compensation

The body's mechanism to counteract the effects of respiratory acidosis.

Hyperventilation Syndrome

A condition characterized by excessive breathing leading to alkalosis.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing.

Respiratory Drive Regulation

The physiological mechanisms that control the drive to breathe.

Acidosis Effects

The impact of an acidic environment on respiratory physiology.

Saturation Levels

The percentage of hemoglobin molecules that carry oxygen.

Gas Law Regulation

The principles governing the behavior of gases in respiration.

Clara Cells

Non-ciliated cells in the bronchioles that secrete substances that protect the airways.

Lung Function Measurements

Tests that assess different aspects of lung health.

Airway Resistance

The resistance to airflow in the respiratory tract.

Environmental Factors

External conditions that can impact respiratory health.