3 processes involved in exchange of air
Pulmonary ventilation
result of pressure gradients caused by changed in thoracic cavity volume.
Boyles Law
gas volume is inversely proportional to pressure. as volume increase pressure decrease (vice versa) for the same number of molecules of air (gas amount is constant)
3 pressures involved in pulmonary ventilation
Intrapleural pressure is ..
Quiet inspiration
active process (muscles contract). at start P atm =P pul (760 mmHg). no air moves then..
Forced inspiration
active process.diaphragm, external intercostals + sternocleidomastoids, pectoralis minors, scalenes contract (∴ active).⇑⇑ vol. of thoracic cavity ∴ pressure gradient ⇑, and
more air moves in
Quiet expiration
Forced expiration
Stretch in lungs determined by either..
- recoil
Compliance
effort needed to stretch lungs; low = much effort
Recoil
ability to return to resting size after stretch
Both compliance and recoil =
result of elastic CT + surfactant
Lungs collapse prevented by..
- Presence of surfactant
Pneumothorax
air in pleural cavity. Patm = Pip = Ppul so lungs collapse, thoracic wall expands
Surfactant= Lipoprotein / phospholipid mixture
Respiratory distress syndrome
newborns to 7 months gestation. inadequate surfactant so alveoli tend to collapse (love compliance) so effort is high which leds to death
Air flow and airway resistance equation
F= air flow P= Patm - Ppul R= airway resistance
Airway resistance determined by diameter of bronchi and bronchioles so..
-inspiratory mechanics open airways/ expiratory close always.
SNS dilates..
bronchiolar smooth muscle
PSNS
contracts it (bronchocontriction)
Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema increase airway resistance so..
more difficult to expire than to inspire
Respiratory volumes used measuring..
spirometer
1 respiration =
1 inspiration + 1 expiration