Pathophysiology Unit 6: Respiratory Function

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes for Biology 306 on Respiratory Function, covering key terms and concepts related to pathophysiology of the respiratory system.

Alveolar Ventilation

The process of gas exchange that occurs in the alveoli, where oxygen is brought into the body and carbon dioxide is expelled.

Ventilation-Perfusion Matching

The ratio of airflow (ventilation) to blood flow (perfusion) in the lungs, crucial for effective gas exchange.

Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders

Conditions that demonstrate increased resistance to airflow due to obstruction of the airway lumen.

Hypoxemia

A condition characterized by low oxygen levels in the blood, which can occur due to ventilation-perfusion abnormalities.

Fibrotic Lung Disorders

Restrictive lung diseases characterized by the thickening of the alveolar interstitium, affecting lung function.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air enters the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.

Sarcoidosis

An inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs, particularly the lungs.

Emphysema

A type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that results in the destruction of alveoli, leading to reduced respiratory function.

Bronchioles

Small air passages in the lungs that branch from the bronchi and lead to the alveoli.

Tension Pneumothorax

A life-threatening condition where air accumulates under pressure in the pleural space, collapsing the lung and shifting the mediastinum.

Asthma

A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes narrowing of the small airways and increased mucus production, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Chronic Bronchitis

A type of COPD characterized by a long-term cough with mucus production, resulting from inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, typically caused by a blood clot that has traveled from elsewhere in the body.

Lung Compliance

A measure of the lung's ability to stretch and expand (distensibility), calculated as the change in volume divided by the change in pressure (C_{L} =\frac{ \triangle V}{\triangle P}).

Restrictive Pulmonary Disorders

A category of lung diseases characterized by reduced lung volumes and decreased lung compliance, making it harder for the lungs to expand.

Spirometry

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

FEV1/FVC Ratio

The ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC), used to diagnose and differentiate between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases.

Pleural Effusion

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall, which can impair lung expansion.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs due to the production of thick, sticky mucus that obstructs airways and ducts.