Respiratory Physiology Quiz

Respiratory Physiology

Overview

• Respiratory physiology is the study of the mechanisms of breathing and gas exchange between the environment and the body
• Involves the exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the atmosphere and the body's cells

Respiratory System Components

• Upper respiratory tract:
  • Nose and mouth
  • Pharynx
  • Larynx
• Lower respiratory tract:
  • Trachea
  • Bronchi
  • Bronchioles
  • Alveoli (site of gas exchange)

Mechanisms of Breathing

• Inspiration:
  • Diaphragm contracts and flattens
  • External intercostal muscles contract
  • Rib cage expands and lungs fill with air
• Expiration:
  • Diaphragm relaxes and rises
  • External intercostal muscles relax
  • Rib cage descends and lungs empty

Gas Exchange

• External respiration:
  • O2 from the atmosphere enters the lungs and diffuses into the blood
  • CO2 from the blood diffuses into the lungs and is exhaled
• Internal respiration:
  • O2 from the blood diffuses into the body's cells
  • CO2 from the body's cells diffuses into the blood

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

• Tidal volume (TV): volume of air inspired or expired with each breath
• Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV): additional volume of air that can be inspired with maximum effort
• Expiratory reserve volume (ERV): additional volume of air that can be expired with maximum effort
• Residual volume (RV): volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximum expiration
• Vital capacity (VC): maximum volume of air that can be expired from the lungs

Regulation of Breathing

• Medulla oblongata: controls the automatic breathing process
• Pons: regulates the rate and depth of breathing
• Cerebral cortex: influences breathing through voluntary control
• Chemoreceptors: detect changes in CO2 and O2 levels and adjust breathing accordingly

Respiratory Physiology

Overview

• The study of breathing and gas exchange between the environment and the body
• Involves O2 and CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the body's cells

Respiratory System Components

• Upper respiratory tract consists of nose, mouth, pharynx, and larynx
• Lower respiratory tract consists of trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli (site of gas exchange)

Mechanisms of Breathing

• Inspiration: diaphragm contracts, external intercostal muscles contract, and rib cage expands
• Expiration: diaphragm relaxes, external intercostal muscles relax, and rib cage descends

Gas Exchange

• External respiration: O2 from atmosphere enters lungs, CO2 from blood diffuses into lungs
• Internal respiration: O2 from blood diffuses into body cells, CO2 from body cells diffuses into blood

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

• Tidal volume (TV): volume of air inspired or expired with each breath
• Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV): additional volume of air that can be inspired with maximum effort
• Expiratory reserve volume (ERV): additional volume of air that can be expired with maximum effort
• Residual volume (RV): volume of air remaining in lungs after maximum expiration
• Vital capacity (VC): maximum volume of air that can be expired from lungs

Regulation of Breathing

• Medulla oblongata controls automatic breathing process
• Pons regulates rate and depth of breathing
• Cerebral cortex influences breathing through voluntary control
• Chemoreceptors detect changes in CO2 and O2 levels and adjust breathing accordingly