Lungs and Respiratory System Overview

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to lung physiology, pathophysiology, and various respiratory disorders.

Lung Mechanical Functions

The coordinated work of the lung, chest wall, and diaphragm for air drawing and expulsion.

Gas Exchange

The movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the alveolar-capillary interface through diffusion.

Elastic Recoil

The ability of the lungs to return to their original shape after expansion, aiding passive expiration.

Pulmonary Capillaries

Thin-walled vessels facilitating gas exchange between air in the alveoli and blood.

Minute Ventilation

The total volume of air that can be inhaled and exhaled per minute.

Dead Space

Volume in conducting airways without surface for gas exchange.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder affecting lung protection and mucus clearance.

Pleural Effusion

Accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Group of diseases causing stiffness and decreased lung compliance.

Emphysema

A lung condition characterized by increased compliance and damaged alveoli.

Asthma

A chronic condition involving intermittent airway obstruction due to inflammation.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive lung disease over time, commonly caused by smoking.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid accumulation in alveoli, often due to heart failure or lung injury.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Severe lung condition marked by sudden failure of lungs to provide adequate gas exchange.

Bronchial Hyperreactivity

Increased responsiveness of airways to stimuli, often seen in asthma.

Pneumonia

Lung infection leading to inflammation and alveolar consolidation.

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.

Residual Volume (RV)

Amount of air left in lungs after maximal expiration.

Tidal Volume (TV)

Volume of air moved in and out during a normal breath.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

Total volume of air in the lungs after maximal inhalation.

Vital Capacity (VC)

Maximum amount of air exhaled after maximal inhalation.

Diaphragm

Main muscle involved in respiration, descends during inspiration.

Pleura

The membrane surrounding the lungs composed of visceral and parietal layers.

Ciliated Epithelial Cells

Cells along airway passages that help clear mucus and debris.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Increased blood pressure within the pulmonary arteries.

Oxygen Transport

The process of oxygen binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Alveolar Gas Exchange

Diffusion process involving oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide elimination.

Ventilation/Perfusion Mismatch

An imbalance between air reaching the alveoli and blood flow in the capillaries.

Hypoxemia

Low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Shunt

Pathological blood circulation where blood bypasses functional lung tissue.

Pulmonary Embolism

Blockage in a pulmonary artery, often from a thrombus.

Mucociliary Clearance

Mechanism of clearing inhaled particles via mucus and ciliated cells.

Airway Resistance

Opposition to airflow in the respiratory tract, influenced by airway diameter.

Bronchodilation

Widening of air passages resulting from relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles.

Bronchoconstriction

Narrowing of airways due to smooth muscle contraction.

Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Condition in preterm infants due to lack of surfactant.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in alveoli, aiding inflation.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Tests measuring lung function and capacity, including airflow rates.

Type 2 Alveolar Epithelial Cells (AEC)

Cells that produce surfactant in the lungs.

Hypercapnia

Excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, often accompanying hypoxemia.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Genetic condition increasing risk for emphysema.

Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1)

Volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled in one second.

Chronic Bronchitis

Persistent cough and mucus production due to airway inflammation.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Progressive disease causing obstructed airflow from the lungs.

Childhood Asthma

Chronic airway disease often presenting in younger patients.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Contagious virus causing respiratory tract infections, mainly in children.

Hypoxic Vasoconstriction

Blood vessel constriction in response to low oxygen levels.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygen.

Pulmonary Function Test Interpretations

Understanding lung capacities and volumes based on test results.

Alveolar Membrane Thickening

Condition that can impair gas exchange in certain lung diseases.

Chronic Infiltrative Lung Diseases

Conditions that lead to scarring and stiffening of lung tissue.

Mechanical Properties of Lungs

Characteristics of lung tissue affecting expansion and recoil.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Intermittent blockages of the upper airway during sleep.

Hypoxic Blood Flow Redistribution

Blood redirected towards well-ventilated regions of the lung.

Transient Airway Obstruction

Temporary blockage of the airways that can cause breathing difficulty.

Environmental Lung Disease Factors

Risks increasing lung disease prevalence due to external conditions.

Inhaled Particulates

Small particles breathed in that can cause lung disease.

Systemic Effects of Chronic Lung Disease

Impacts on overall health stemming from progressive lung conditions.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

Maximum volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal inspiration.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

Maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a normal tidal expiration.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

The maximum volume of air that can be inhaled from the end-expiratory position (IC = TV + IRV).

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

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

Accessory Muscles of Respiration

Muscles like the sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, and intercostals that assist in breathing, especially during forced respiration.

Compliance

The measure of the lung's ability to stretch and expand (change in volume for a given change in pressure).

Resistance

The opposition to airflow in the respiratory tract, primarily influenced by airway radius and length.

Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PO_2)

The pressure exerted by oxygen in a mixture of gases or dissolved in a fluid.

Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (PCO_2)

The pressure exerted by carbon dioxide in a mixture of gases or dissolved in a fluid.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Alveolar Ventilation (V_A)

The volume of air that reaches the alveoli and participates in gas exchange per minute, excluding dead space ventilation.

Bohr Effect

The phenomenon where a decrease in blood pH or an increase in PCO_2 (or temperature) shifts the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to the right, reducing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen and promoting oxygen release to tissues.

Haldane Effect

The phenomenon where oxygen binding to hemoglobin decreases hemoglobin's affinity for carbon dioxide, promoting CO_2 release from the blood in the lungs and uptake in the tissues.

Central Chemoreceptors

Receptors located in the medulla oblongata that monitor the pH of cerebrospinal fluid, primarily responding to changes in PCO_2 to regulate ventilation rate.

Peripheral Chemoreceptors

Receptors located in the carotid and aortic bodies that primarily respond to changes in arterial PO2, and to a lesser extent PCO2 and pH, to regulate ventilation.

Dyspnea

The subjective sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Spirometry

A common pulmonary function test that measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale and how quickly air can be exhaled.

V/Q Ratio (Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio)

The ratio of alveolar ventilation (V_A) to pulmonary blood flow (perfusion, Q), an important measure of the efficiency of gas exchange.