Pulmonary Ventilation

Respiratory System Functions

• The respiratory system does not filter nutrients from the blood.

External Respiration

• The process of external respiration that involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between lung air spaces and blood is called gas exchange.

Respiratory System Components

• The trachea functions in conducting air from the larynx to the lungs.
• The smallest airways in the conducting zone are terminal bronchioles.

Ventilation Pressures

• The primary pressures associated with ventilation are intrapleural pressure, intra-alveolar pressure, and transpulmonary pressure.
• The pressure that is NOT associated with ventilation is hydrostatic pressure.

Lung Volumes

• The Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) represents the amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled within a certain time frame.
• The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) represents the amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a maximum inhalation.

Respiratory Volumes

• The total amount of air that flows into or out of the respiratory system in a minute is called the minute ventilation.

External Respiration Components

• Inspiration is a component of external respiration.

Conducting Zone Functions

• The conducting zone of the respiratory system is responsible for warming, humidifying, and filtering the air we breathe.
• The conducting zone does not exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Surfactant

• Surfactant is secreted by type II alveolar cells.