Respiratory Disorders 1 - Pulmonary Concepts Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts of pulmonary physiology, ventilation control, lung volumes, breath sounds, and breathing patterns.

Pulmonary Circulation

The division of respiratory blood flow that provides the lungs with blood specifically for gas exchange.

Bronchial Circulation

The portion of systemic circulation that provides oxygenated blood to the structural tissues of the lungs.

Erythropoiesis

The process of red blood cell production stimulated by erythropoietin released from the kidneys during tissue hypoxia.

Bronchial Breath Sounds

High-pitched, loud normal breath sounds with an I:E ratio of 1:3, best auscultated over the tracheal area above the sternal notch.

Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds

Medium-pitched, medium-intensity breath sounds with an I:E ratio of 1:1, best heard over the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces and interscapular area.

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Low-pitched, soft breath sounds with an I:E ratio of 3:1, best auscultated over peripheral lung fields covering most lung areas.

I:E Ratio

The calculated ratio comparing the duration of inspiration to the duration of expiration.

Compliance

A measure of lung elasticity and the ease with which lung tissue can stretch.

Elastic Recoil

The inherent ability of the lungs to passively recoil back to their resting size after being stretched.

PaO2

The partial pressure of oxygen dissolved directly in blood plasma, measured in $\text{mmHg}$.

SaO2

The percentage proportion of arterial hemoglobin bound to oxygen relative to its total carrying capacity.

PaCO2

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved directly in blood plasma, measured in $\text{mmHg}$.

Oxygen-Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve

A curve describing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, where increased $H^+$ concentration, elevated $CO_2$, or higher temperature cause a right shift with reduced affinity.

Central Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors located in the medulla of the brainstem that monitor chemical balances to regulate breathing.

Peripheral Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors situated within the carotid bodies and aortic bodies that detect blood chemical changes to influence ventilation.

Irritant Receptors

Mechanical receptors in airway walls that trigger bronchial constriction and increased ventilation rate upon exposure to inhaled irritants.

Tidal Volume ($V_T$)

The amount of air moved into and out of the lungs during normal quiet breathing, typically equal to $0.5\,\text{L}$.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The maximum volume of additional air that can be inspired after completing a normal, restful inhalation, approximately $2.5\,\text{L}$.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The maximum extra volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal passive expiration, approximately $1.5\,\text{L}$.

Residual Volume (RV)

The volume of air remaining trapped inside the lungs following a maximal, forced exhalation, approximately $1.5\,\text{L}$.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The total volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inspiration, equal to the sum of IRV, $V_T$, and ERV.

Hemoptysis

The coughing up of bright-red blood or blood-streaked sputum from damaged vessels in the respiratory tract.

Clubbing

Bulbous swelling of the fingertips and toes resulting from chronic underlying tissue hypoxia.

Eupnea

Normal, smooth, and unlabored resting breathing pattern.

Kussmaul Respirations

An abnormally deep and rapid pattern of breathing typically triggered by severe metabolic acidosis.

Cheyne–Stokes Respirations

A breathing pattern involving repeating cycles of gradually increasing depth followed by decreasing depth and periods of apnea.

Restrictive Lung Diseases

Pulmonary disorders characterized by reduced lung compliance, leading to decreased total lung capacity, vital capacity, and residual volume.

Obstructive Lung Diseases

Pulmonary conditions marked by airway resistance and increased compliance, causing air trapping with increased total lung capacity and residual volume.

Crackles (Rales)

Discontinuous, popping or snapping adventitious breath sounds associated with fluid accumulation or fibrosis, as seen in pneumonia or heart failure.

Rhonchi

Continuous low-pitched snoring sounds that indicate mucous secretions within the large pulmonary airways.