PH - WEEK 12 - Respiratory Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards covering respiratory anatomy and physiology.

What are the main processes involved in respiration?

Pulmonary Ventilation, External Respiration, Respiratory Gas Transport, and Internal Respiration.

What are the components of the thoracic cage?

Sternum, 12 pairs of ribs and costal cartilages, and 12 thoracic vertebrae.

What is the role of the intercostal muscles in respiration?

External intercostals elevate ribs during inhalation; internal and innermost intercostals depress ribs during exhalation.

What is the role of the pleura in pulmonary ventilation?

The pleura aids ventilation by facilitating lung expansion through elastic stretch/recoil.

What is Atmospheric pressure (Patm)?

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the air above a surface, typically 760 mmHg at sea level.

What is Boyle's Law and how does it relate to pulmonary ventilation?

Boyle's Law states that pressure and volume are inversely proportional. Decreasing volume increases pressure and vice versa.

Which muscles are involved in inspiration?

Diaphragm and external intercostals

What is the process of inspiration (inhalation)?

Diaphragm and external intercostals contract, increasing thoracic volume and decreasing intrapulmonary pressure, which leads to air flowing into the lungs.

What is the process of expiration (exhalation)?

Inspiratory muscles relax, and elastic recoil of lung tissue increases intrapulmonary pressure, which leads to air flowing out of the lungs.

What are the differences between quiet and forced breathing?

Quiet breathing involves active inhalation and passive exhalation, while forced breathing requires accessory muscles and active exhalation.

What are alveolar pressure (PA) and intrapleural pressure (PIP)?

Alveolar Pressure (PA) is the pressure inside airways and alveoli, while Intrapleural Pressure (PIP) is the pressure within the pleural cavity, which is always subatmospheric (negative).

Why is intrapleural pressure important?

It keeps the pleura adhered together, prevents lung collapse, and allows for lung expansion during inhalation.

What is the process of external respiration (pulmonary gas exchange)?

Gas exchange of O2 and CO2 between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood, driven by partial pressure gradients.

What is Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures?

Dalton's Law states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases is the sum of the individual partial pressures of each gas.

What is Henry’s Law?

Henry's Law states that the solubility of a gas in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure above it; CO2 is more soluble in blood than O2.

What factors influence gas exchange?

Surface Area, Diffusion Barrier Permeability, and Diffusion Distance

What are the key differences between pulmonary and systemic gas exchange?

Pulmonary Gas Exchange involves O2 entering the blood and CO2 exiting, while Systemic Gas Exchange involves O2 entering the interstitial fluid and CO2 exiting.