Pulmonary System Structures Quiz
21 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What primarily transports oxygen in the pulmonary capillary blood?

  • Hemoglobin (correct)
  • Carbon dioxide molecules
  • Plasma proteins
  • Alveolar fluid

How does oxygen primarily enter tissue cells?

  • Through active transport mechanisms
  • Through the formation of bicarbonate
  • By diffusion down the concentration gradient (correct)
  • By being chemically converted to carbon dioxide

Which pulmonary function test is used to assess the gas diffusion rate at the alveolocapillary membrane?

  • Spirometry
  • Diffusing capacity (correct)
  • Thoracic imaging
  • Arterial blood gas analysis

What effect does aging have on the pulmonary system regarding alveolar structures?

<p>Decreases elasticity of alveolar walls (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What changes are seen in lung volumes as a result of aging?

<p>Vital capacity decreases while residual volume increases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure is primarily responsible for gas exchange in the lungs?

<p>Alveoli (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pulmonary system is responsible for protecting the thoracic cavity contents?

<p>Chest wall (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the alveolocapillary membrane play in the pulmonary system?

<p>Surrounds the alveoli and contains pulmonary capillaries (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily controls vasodilation and vasoconstriction in the pulmonary circulation?

<p>Local and humoral factors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is lined by the parietal pleura?

<p>Chest wall (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the pulmonary system?

<p>Enable gas exchange (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily monitors the mechanical aspects of ventilation?

<p>Lung receptors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers vasoconstriction in the pulmonary arterial system?

<p>Alveolar hypoxia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of surfactant in the alveoli?

<p>To reduce alveolar surface tension (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is primarily responsible for the process of inspiration?

<p>Diaphragm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines airway resistance in the respiratory system?

<p>Length, radius, cross-sectional area, and gas properties (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does compliance measure in the context of respiration?

<p>Lung and chest wall distensibility during inspiration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of factors aids in the effectiveness of ventilation?

<p>Elastic properties, muscles, and resistance to airflow (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences the distribution of ventilation and perfusion in the lungs?

<p>Gravity and alveolar compliance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of irritant receptors in the respiratory system?

<p>To assess the effectiveness of ventilation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during passive expiration under normal circumstances?

<p>Elastic recoil allows air to flow freely out (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Lung Compliance

The ability of the lungs and chest wall to stretch and expand during inhalation.

Elastic Recoil

The tendency of the lungs and chest wall to return to their resting position after inhalation.

Airway Resistance

The force required to move air through the airways.

Diaphragm

The major muscle responsible for inhalation. When it contracts, it flattens and pulls air into the lungs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Surfactant

A substance produced by the lungs to reduce surface tension in the alveoli, allowing for easier expansion.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs. Involves muscle contraction, lung expansion, and air pressure changes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gas Exchange

The transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the blood, and carbon dioxide from the blood to the lungs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ventilation-Perfusion Matching

The balance of ventilation (airflow) and perfusion (blood flow) in the lungs. This ensures efficient gas exchange.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oxygen Diffusion

The process of oxygen moving from the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) into the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) and then into the bloodstream. It occurs due to a difference in oxygen concentration between these areas, with higher concentrations in the alveoli and lower concentrations in the capillaries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hemoglobin

The protein found in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Most of the oxygen we breathe is transported by hemoglobin.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Diffusing Capacity

A measure of the gas diffusion rate across the alveolocapillary membrane, the barrier between the air sacs in the lungs and the blood vessels.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oxygen Dissociation

The process of oxygen being released from hemoglobin into the tissue cells. This occurs because of the lower oxygen pressure in the tissues compared to the blood.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient

A measurement used to evaluate the cause of low blood oxygen (hypoxia) by comparing the oxygen levels in the alveoli to the oxygen levels in the arteries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are the conducting airways?

These structures include the nasopharynx, oropharynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles down to the 16th division. They essentially carry air to the gas exchange areas of the lungs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are the gas-exchange airways?

The alveoli, alveolar ducts, and respiratory bronchioles are beyond the 16th division of the conducting airways. These structures are responsible for gas exchange and are collectively called the acinus.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the alveolocapillary membrane?

A thin membrane surrounding each alveolus, containing pulmonary capillaries, responsible for efficient gas exchange between the air and blood.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the pulmonary circulation?

This is a separate division of the circulatory system dedicated to serving the gas-exchange airways. It carries oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs and oxygen-rich blood back to the heart.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is the bronchial circulation?

A branch of the systemic circulation that provides oxygen and nutrients to the bronchi and other lung structures. It's distinct from the pulmonary circulation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is ventilation?

It's the process by which air moves into and out of the airways. This cyclical movement allows oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide to leave the body.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How is ventilation controlled?

The respiratory center in the brainstem controls ventilation, and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems regulate the rate and depth of breathing, along with the airway caliber.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are lung receptors?

These receptors monitor the mechanical aspects of ventilation. They provide feedback to the brain about lung stretch, airflow, and other mechanical factors during breathing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Pulmonary System Structures

  • The pulmonary system comprises the lungs, airways (nasopharynx, oropharynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles), chest wall, diaphragm, and pulmonary/bronchial circulations.
  • Air flow: Inspired and expired air travels through the conducting airways, reaching the sixteenth bronchial division.
  • Gas exchange: Occurs in structures beyond the sixteenth division (respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli), forming the acinus.
  • Alveoli: The key gas exchange units in the lungs, surrounded by pulmonary capillaries forming the alveolocapillary membrane.
  • Pulmonary circulation: A separate circulatory system serving the gas exchange airways.
  • Bronchial circulation: A branch of the systemic circulation, serving lung structures other than the gas exchange airways.
  • Innervation: The pulmonary circulation has autonomic nervous system (ANS) innervation; however, local and humoral factors (especially oxygenation and pH) primarily regulate it.

Pulmonary System Functions

  • Gas exchange: Oxygen diffuses into the blood and CO2 diffuses out.
  • Ventilation: Air flow into and out of the gas exchange airways; primarily involuntary but controlled by the brainstem's respiratory center utilizing both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Pulmonary System Blood Vessel Response

  • Pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction: Caused by alveolar hypoxia (low oxygen), acidemia (low blood pH), and inflammatory mediators (e.g., histamine, serotonin, prostaglandins, bradykinin).

Chest Wall Structure

  • Protection of thoracic contents: The chest wall (skin, ribs, intercostal muscles) protects thoracic contents.
  • Pleural membranes: Two membranes, parietal (lining the chest wall) and visceral (covering the lungs), create a pleural space between them.

Pulmonary System Tests

  • Spirometry: Measures lung volume and air flow during forced expiration.
  • Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient: Evaluates hypoxia causes.
  • Diffusing capacity: Measures gas diffusion rate across the alveolocapillary membrane.
  • Arterial blood gas analysis: Determines pH, oxygen, and CO2 blood levels.
  • Thoracic imaging: Detects lung diseases and evaluates disease progression.

Aging and the Pulmonary System

  • Decreased compliance and elastic recoil: Chest wall and lung elasticity decline with age, affecting ventilation.
  • Reduced alveolar surface area: Loss of alveolar tissue reduces the area for gas exchange.
  • Oxygen levels (PaO2): Can decrease, though carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2) are typically unaffected.
  • Changes in lung volumes: Vital capacity decreases, and residual volume increases; however, total lung capacity generally remains unchanged.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

AP Ch 35 Pulmonary System PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the components and functions of the pulmonary system. This quiz covers the anatomy of the lungs, airways, gas exchange mechanisms, and circulatory pathways involved. Ideal for students studying human anatomy or physiology.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser