Respiratory Physiology and Gas Exchange

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to respiratory physiology and gas exchange.

Pulmonary Ventilation

The process of breathing involving inhalation and exhalation.

Intrapulmonary Pressure

The pressure within the lung; equal to atmospheric pressure when the lungs are at rest.

Intrapleural Pressure

The pressure within the pleural cavity, always lower than intrapulmonary pressure.

Boyle's Law

States that pressure and volume of a gas have an inverse relationship; as volume increases, pressure decreases.

Inhalation

The process of taking air into the lungs, also called inspiration.

Exhalation

The process of expelling air from the lungs, also called expiration.

Diffusion

The movement of gases from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

Dalton's Law of Partial Pressure

States that in a mixture of gases, each gas exerts pressure proportional to its percentage in the mixture.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Passive Expiration

A process of exhalation that occurs without active muscle contraction, mainly due to relaxation of the diaphragm and external intercostals.

Active Expiration

A process of exhalation that involves muscle contraction to force air out of the lungs.

Pressure Gradient

The difference in pressure that drives airflow during ventilation and gas exchange.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Tidal Volume

The amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

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

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation.

Vital Capacity

The total amount of air that can be exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible.

Residual Volume

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

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute.

What are the opposing forces on the lungs during breathing?

The opposing forces on the lungs include the elastic recoil of the lung tissue and surface tension in the alveoli, which tend to collapse the lungs, as well as the chest wall's elasticity, which tends to expand the lungs.

What role does elastic recoil play in lung function?

The elastic recoil of the lungs helps to push air out of the lungs during exhalation, as the lung tissue returns to its resting state after being stretched.

How does surface tension affect the lungs?

Surface tension created by the fluid lining the alveoli can make it more difficult for the lungs to expand, requiring more effort during inhalation.

What is the significance of the chest wall's elasticity?

The elasticity of the chest wall supports lung expansion and helps maintain appropriate lung volume during the breathing cycle.