M131: Disease & the Human Body

Fall 2021

part 2. pulmonary diseases

A. respiratory system anatomy & physiology

1. conducting zone: “anatomical dead space”

- no gas exchange, just tubing
- warm and humidify air
- lined with mucus and cilia(

clinical application: asthma

-harder to breath in and out, *yellow is the mucus*
-during asthma attack there is more mucus so the airway
gets tighter, resistance is very high, mucus starts to
clump(blocking airway)
-only affects conducting zone
-usually triggered by allergens(pollen, dustmites, irritation)
- immune system identifies the irritations as a dangerous object
- too aggressive immune system (its misidentifying the allergen)
- decrease in airflow

2. respiratory zone:

i. type I alveolar cells:

where oxygen goes into blood and carbon dioxide comes out
- where gas exchanges occur
-very thin layer of water in alveolar
-humidifies the alveolar cell

clinical connection: surface tension

 ii. type II alveolar cells:

clinical application: infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS)

Why would premature infants be at higher risk for IRDS?

What treatment could be used to help relieve the symptoms of IRDS?

How long would this treatment be necessary?

clinical application: pneumonia

cause =

What are the two primary issues in pneumonia?

3. breathing mechanics

i. respiratory muscles

primary role =

diaphragm

accessory muscles

ii. relationship between volume and pressure

iii. mechanics of resting inspiration

goal:

needs:

mechanics at rest:

iv. mechanics of resting expiration

goal:

needs:

mechanics at rest:
clinical application: How do the mechanics described above change during exercise?

How do the mechanics described above change during pneumonia?

v. pulmonary compliance =

Why is pulmonary compliance important?

clinical application: pulmonary fibrosis & emphysema

What effect does pulmonary fibrosis have on a person with the disease?

What effect does emphysema have on a person with the disease?

4. respiratory acid-base balance

relationship between CO2 and pH:

H2O + CO2 ø H2CO3 ø H+ + HCO3G

When H2O and CO2 mix, they form carbonic acid which dissociates into hydrogen ions and
bicarbonate.

i Respiration is normally adjusted to keep pace with .

i changes in blood CO2 is the MAIN reason breathing rate changes.

respiratory terminology

eupnea

hyperpnea

hyperventilation

hypopnea

hypoventilation

clinical application: acid-base imbalances

i. respiratory acidosis

ii. respiratory alkalosis

5. lung volumes and capacities
Spirometry is used to measure lung volumes and capacities and is useful in diagnosing
pulmonary diseases.

i1. tidal volume (TV): volume of air entering or leaving lungs during one resting breath

i4. residual volume (RV): volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximum expiration

i5. vital capacity (VC): volume of air that can be exhaled after maximum inspiration

i8. total lung capacity (TLC): volume of air in lungs after maximum inspiration = RV + VC

Other important measurements:

Minute Ventilation (VE) = TV x Respiratory Rate

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) =

Relative FEV1 (FEV1 %)