CHAPTER 23          THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

 

I. ANATOMY OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

          A. Nose

                    1. Functions

                              a. air passageway

                              b. hairs to trap large particles

                              c. moistens

                              d. adjusts inhaled air to body temperature

                              e. resonance chamber for speech

                    2. Nasal cavity

                              a. sphenoid, ethmoid - roof

                              b. hard and soft palate - floor

                    3. Respiratory mucosa

                              a. pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

                                        below epiglottis and stratified squamous above

                              b. goblet cells

                              c. mucous cells- secrete mucus

                              d. serous cells- secrete watery fluid

                              e. secretions include lysozyme

                                        1. antibacterial enzyme

f. ciliated cells important in moving substances over the surface -"up the mucous elevator" 

                                        Why would this be an important function?

                                        The cilia is damaged by smokers. What is

                                        the result?

 

          B. Paranasal Sinuses

                    1. Location within skull bones

                              a. frontal

                              b. sphenoid

                              c. ethmoid

                              d. maxillary

                    2. Functions

                              a. lighten skull

                              b. resonance chambers for speech

                              c. moisten and warms air

                    3. Infections of nasal mucosa

 

          C. Pharynx (throat)

                    1. common to respiratory and digestive systems

                    2. connects

                              a. nasal cavity/larynx

                              b. mouth/esophagus

                    3. divided into regions

                              a. nasopharynx

                                        1. superior region-connects with nasal cavity

                                        2. uvula

                                                  a. closing of nasal cavity with swallowing

                                        3. pharyngeal tosnils (same as adenoids)

                                                  a. can obstruct air movement if swollen

                              b. oropharynx

                                        1. fauces

                                                  a. opening to mouth                              

                                                  b. palatine tonsils laterally

                                                  c. lingual tonsils at base of tongue

                              c. laryngopharynx

                                        1. common passageway for food and air

                                        2. posterior to the epiglottis at base of tongue

                             

          D. Larynx

                    1. attaches to hyoid bone

                    2. at 4th to 6th vertebra

                    3. connects laryngopharynx with trachea

                    4. functions

                              a. provides open airway

                              b. routes food or air traffic

                    5. Adam's apple - laryngeal prominence

                              a. this is the center of the thyroid cartilage

                    6. Cricoid cartilage attaches to trachea

                    7. Epiglottis - at base of tongue

                              a. not hyaline but elastic cartilage

                              b. mucosal covering contains taste buds

                              c. tips over larynx opening with swallowing

                                        1. this routes food/water to esophagus

                              d. cough reflex if food/water enters

                    8. Vocal Cords

                              a. vocal folds

                                        1. true vocal cords

                                        2. mucosal folds

                                        3. glottis is opening between folds

                                        4. supported by vocal ligaments

                              b. vestiblar folds

                                        1. false vocarl cords

                                        2. give support to the true vocal cords

                              c. function in voice

                                        1. laryngeal muscles produce tension on

                                        the folds and they vibrate faster for a higher pitch

                                        2. glottis is wide for deep tone

                                        3. glottis is narrow for high pitched tones

                                        4. vocal cords thicken and elongate with

                                        male puberty to deepen voice

                              d. Laryngitis

                                        1. inflammation of vocal cords

                   

          E. Trachea (windpipe)

                    1. Anterior to esophagus

                    2. 4" long 1" diameter

                    3. C-shaped rings of cartilage

                              a. opening of C posterior to allow expansion of

                              esophagus

                              b. supported by connective tissue

                    4. carina

                              a. where trachea divides into left and right branches

                              b. particles reaching this point trigger a violent

                              coughing attack

                    5. Heimlich maneuver

                              a. uses lung's air to pop out obstruction

 

          F. Bronchial Tree

                    1. air passageway through lungs

                    2. Left and Right primary bronchi

                              a. from carina

                    3. branching continues in 'orders' 23 times

                              a. fractal arrangement

                              b. Secondary bronchi

                                        1. 3 right (3 right lobes)

                                        2. 2 left           (2 left lobes)

                              c. bronchioles

                                        1. smallest at less than 1 mm

                                        2. terminal bronchioles - feed into respiratory

                                        bronchioles

                    4. Respiratory zone

                              a. respiratory bronchioles

                              b. last order

                              c. less elastin more smooth muscle

                              d. no ciliated or mucous cells

                                        (macrophages in alveoli to cleanse)

                              e. respiratory bronchioles

                                        1. for gas exchange

                                        2. branch to alveolar ducts

                              f. alveolar sacs (alveoli)

                                        1. pouches off the sides of the duct

                                        2. air pockets

                                        3. described as grapelike clusters

                                        4. Surfactant

a.special epithelial cells (Type II cells) secrete surfactant to coat alveolar surface

                                                  b. a lipid/protein secretion

c. decreases surface tension of alveolar fluid so that alveoli do not collapse  (water molecule cohesiveness is lessened)

c.Premature infants do not secrete adequate surfactant

                                        5. Macrophages present to clean up

 

          G. Lungs

                    1. Left lung

                              a. smaller

                              b. cardiac notch in concave region for heart

                              c. 2 lobes - superior and inferior

                                        1. separated by oblique fissure

                    2. Right lung

                              a. larger

                              b. three lobes

                                        1. superior(upper), middle, inferior(lower)

                                        2. oblique and horizontal fissure

                    3. Bronchiole tree distributed throught with branching

                    of pulmonary artery and veins

                    4. branches of aorta: bronchiole arteries supply

                    lung with oxygenated blood

                    5. Stroma

                              a. elastic CT

                              b. soft and spongy

         

          H. Pleura

                    1. parietal - outer covering

                    2. visceral - outer lining

                    3. pleural fluid

                              a. serous (watery) to lubricate lung and

                              create surface tension between lobes

                    4. pleurisy is inflammation of pleura

 

II. Breathing (Pulmonary Ventilation)

          A. Pressures

                    1. Air movement as with other substances is

                    from area of HIGH PRESSURE to area of LOW PRESSURE

                    2. Phases

                              a. Inspiration: air moves into lungs

                              b. Expiration: air moves out of lungs

                    3. Pressures given are relative to atmospheric pressure

                              a. 760mmHg (760torr) standard at sealevel

                              b. ex. -2mmHg means pressure is 2mmHg less than

                              atmospheric pressure and +2mmHg indicates greater

                    4. Intrapulmonary pressure

                              a. pressure in alveoli that changes with breathing

                    5. Intrapleural plessure

                              a. pressure in pleural cavity

                              b. always 4mmHg less than in alveoli (negative)

                              c. factors to keep lungs to wall of thorax:

                                        1. surface tension (pleural fluid)

                                                  lungs slide over each lobe easily but

                                                  don't pull together

                                        2. atmospheric pressure in lungs(not alveoli)

                                                  push out

3. external thorax - atmospheric pressure pushes wall inward to lungs

                              d. factors to pull lungs away from thorax wall

                                        1. recoil due to elasticity of lungs

2. surface tension inside alveoli to pull in to smallest size but do not collapse

                              e. pneumothorax

                                        1. air in the chest cavity (puncture)

                                        2. collapses lung

3. no ventilation possible because pressures are all atmospheric

                    6. Boyle's Law

                              a.Ideal Gas Law

1. pressure of a gas varies inversely with its volume when temperature is constant

                                                  P1V1=P2V2

                                       

                                        What happens to each when one increases or decreases?

 

                              b. gas molecules far apart (take shape of container)

                                        1. increase pressure molecules pushed closer

                   

                    7. Inspiration

                              a. diaphragm contracts

                                        1. moves inferiorly - flattens

 

                              b. external intercostal muscles contract

                                        1. elevates rib cage

                                        2. sternum moves anteriorly

                                        3. chest expands - increases volume

4. creates a low pressure inside so that air moves in (-1mmHg intrapulmonary pres.)

                              c. forced inspiration

                                        1. accessory muscles give greater expansion

                                                  a. scalenes

                                                  b. sternocleidomastoid

                                                  c. pectoral

                                                  d. erector spinae group

                    8. Expiration

                              a. normally passive

                                        1. recoil of lungs

                                        2. relaxation of inspiratory muscles decrease

thoracic volume and raise intrapulmonary pressure  1mmHg - air moves out

                              b.forced expiration

                                        1. active process

                                        2. accessory muscles

                                                  a. transversus and obliques

                                                  b. internal intercostal

                                                  c. latissimus dorsi

                                        3. contraction of these decrease thoracic

                                        volume to increase pressure for air to move

                                        outward

 

          C. Factors influencing ventilation

                    1. resistance

                              a. friction

                              b. as resistance increases air flow decreases

                              c.constriction of bronchioles (bronchioconstriction)

                                        1. parasympathetic

                                        2. asthma attacks

                                        3. many chemicals act to constrict

                              d. dialation (bronchiodilation)

                                        2. sympathetic stimulation

                                                  a. to increase respiratory rate

                                                  in flight-or fight response

                                                  b. these are beta2 adrenergic receptors

                                                  c. caution: beta-blockers could prevent this dilation

                    2. Compliance

                              a. distensibility - important in inspiration

                                        1. ease of expansion

                                        2. depends on volume and pressure

                                        3. C=changein lung volume /change in pressure

                                       

                              Compare 2 lungs: A has greater change in volume than B at the same pressure? Which is more compliant?                 

 

                    3. Elasticity

                              a. recoil for normal expiration

                              b. decreases with emphysema

 

                    4. Surface Tension

a. molecules in a liquid surface attract and separate from the gas thus reducing molecule contact with gas

                              b. surfactant

                                        1. detergent-like lipoprotein produced by alveolar cells

                                        2. decreases cohesiveness of water molecules

         

          D. Lung Volumes and Capacities

                    1. Tidal Volume (TV)

                              a. amount of air that moves in and out of

                              the lungs during normal breathing

                              b. about 500ml

                    2. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

                              a. amount of air that can be forcefully

                              inhaled, above TV

                    3. Inspiratory Capacity = TV + IRV

                    4. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

                              a. amount that can be forcefully exhaled

                              beyond the TV

                    5. Residual Volume (RV)

                              a. remains in lungs after forceful expiration

                    6. Functional Residual Capacity (FRV)

                              a. amount remaining in lungs after TV

                              b. ERV +RV

                    7. Vital Capacity

                              a. TV +IRV + ERV

                              b. exchangable volume

                    8. Total Lung Capacity

                              a. TV + IRV +ERV + RV

                              b. 6000ml in males, less in females

                    9. Dead Space

                              a. air that fills the passageways but not

                              exchanging gases at alveoli

                              b. about 150 ml

                    10. PFT - Pulmonary Function Tests

                              a. spirometer

                              b. evaluates losses in respiratory function

                              c. obstructive pulmonary disease

                                        1. increased airway resistance

                                                  a. ex. asthma

                                        2. increases in TLC, FRC, and RV

                                        3. hyperinflation of lung

                              d. restrictive disorders

                                        1. structural or functional changes in lungs

                                        2. ex. TB

                                        3. VC, TLC, FRC, and RV reduced

                    11. MRV - minute respiratory volume

                              a.air flow in and out of lungs per minute

                              b. 6 L/min with TV of 500 ml

                                        at RR of 12 breaths per min

                    12. alveolar ventilation rate (AVR)

                              a. effective ventilation

                              AVR = RR x (TV-dead space)

                              b. amount reaches alveoli

                   

III. Gas Exchange

          A. Properties of Gases

                    1. Dalton's law of partial pressures

                              a. total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases

                              is the sum of the pressures exerted by each

                              gas in the mixture

                              a. Nitrogen - 79% of atm, 597mmHg ATM = partial pressure (P)

                              b. Oxygen     21% of atm, 159 mmHg ATM

                              c. Carbon Dioxide 0.04%,  0.3 mmHg ATM

                              d. Water Vapor    0.46% , 3.7 mmHg ATM

                              e. Total pressure     =   760 mmHg ATM

                              f. Water vapor and Carbon dioxide have higher

                              partial pressures in the alveoli

                              g. Nitrogen and Oxygen have lower P in alveoli

                         than atmosphere

                   

          What do the partial pressures of the gases tell you about

          which way the gases will diffuse?

 

                    2. Henry's Law

                              a. each gas in a mixture will dissolve in a liquid

                              dependent upon its partial pressure gradient

                              until equilibrium

 

          B. Hyperbaric oxygen

                    1. chambers to provide higher than atmospheric pressure

                              of oxygen to aid treatment of certain oxygen

                              dependent disorders

                    2. ex. gas gangrene, tetanus (anaerobic organisms)

                       carbon monoxide poisoning, circulatory shock,

                    3. generate harmful amounts of oxygen free radicals

                    and can cause oxygen toxicity effects

 

          C. Factors Influencing gas exchange

                    1. partial pressure gradients

                   

                              a. PO2 of pulmonary blood 40 mm Hg        

                              b. PO2 of 104 mmHg in alveoli

 

                              c. diffuse intil 104 mmHg on both sides

 

                              d. PCO2 40 mmHg in alveoli

                              e. PCO2 45 mmHg in pulmonary blood

                    2. Structure of respiratory membrane

                              a. between alveoli and pulmonary capillaries

                              b. thicken (as with edema) longer time to diffuse

                              c. more surface area the faster diffusion

                                        1. many alveolar sacs

 

                    3. match between ventilation rate and blood flow to lungs

 

                    4. gas exchange at capillaries and cells:

                              a. reversed partial pressure gradients

                   

                              b. driven by partial pressure gradients and

                                        diffusion

 

          D. Transport of Respiratory Gases in BLood

         

                    1. Oxygen

                              a. bound to heme of hemoglobin

                                        1. oxyhemoglobin

                                                  a. delivers oxygen to tissues

                              b. dissolved oxygen

                              c. Oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve

 

DRAW  from page 750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                        1.When all four of the heme groups are

                                        bound with oxygen it is fully saturated

                                        2. % Saturation of hemeglobin with oxygen

                                        is dependent on Po2 in blood/tissues

                                        Saturation is 75% in venous blood                              

                                        3. temperature affects saturation

 

                                                  cold : Hb holds oxygen tighter

                                                  and Hb dissociation curve shifts to left

 

                                                  warm (ex. working muscles) require more

                                                  oxygen and Hb releases more oxygen

                                                  as temp. increases increase temp shifts

                                                  curve to right and oxygen is easily

                                                  released

 

4. CO2 lowers blood pH (acts to increase H ions with buffering) and Hb saturation

                                        curve shifts to right.

                                        Working muscles will need more ATP, if not

                                        enough oxygen pH decreases (acidosis) so

                                        desire this result to aid release of oxygen

                                        from hemoglobin

 

                    Bohr effect: acid decreases binding affinity of Hb and oxygen

 

                                        5. no mitochondria in RBCs but release

                                        DPG )2,3- diphosphoglycerate formed from

                                        glycolysis within RBC .  This more DPG

                                        enhances release of oxygen from heme

                                                  a. hormones can have effect of increasing

                                        metabolic rate of RBC (more DPG) and enhance

                                        delivery of oxygen to tissues

 

                              e. Hypoxia

                                        1. low oxygen delivery to tissues

                                        2. can result from ischemia, anemia

                                                  pulmonary disease

                                                 

                                        3 carbon monoxide poisoning

                                                            1. Hb binds CO instead of O2

 

                    2. Carbon Dioxide transport

                              a. Dissolved in plasma 10%

                              b. bound to hemoglobin 25%

                              c. as bicarbonate ion in plasma 65%

 

                                        HCO3-

                   

                              d. Carbonic acid/ bicarbonate ion buffer system

                                       

                              Write equation:

 

 

e. fast reaction in RBC due to enzyme carbonic anhydrase that converts carbon dioxide and water to carbonic acid

                              and also the reverse reaction to liberate carbon dioxide

 

                                        1. Chloride shift

                                                  a. chloride ions move

                                                  in when bicarbonate ions leave to balance

 

                              f. Haldane effect

                             

IV. Control of Respiration

          A. medulla : respiratory center

                    1. inspiratory center -dorsal respiratory group

                              a. phrenic innervation to diaphragm

                              b. intercostal nerve

                              c. eupnea - normal rate and rhythm

                    2. expiratory center- ventral respiratory group

                              a, keeps inspiratory muscles slightly contracted

                              b. recruits expiratory muscles as needed

          B. Pons

                    1. pneumotaxic center

                              a. inhibitory impulses to inspiratory center

                              b. yields short,rapid breaths

                    2. apneustic center

                              a. hold breath with inspiration

                              b. yields deep, slow breathing

          C. Factors affecting rate

                    1. receptors for irritants

                              a. cough, constriction

                    2. Hering-Breuer Reflex

                              a. stretch receptors

                              b. prevents over stretching of lungs

                    3. Hypothalamus - autonomic nervous system

                    4. chemoreceptors

                              a. Carbon dioxide

                                        1. central in medulla

                                        2. peripheral

 

                                        3. hypercapnia - high carbon dioxide levels

                              want to blow off more so increase RR

                              hyperventilation

                             

                                        4. hyperventilation can therefore also result

                              in lowering carbon dioxide to far or hypocapnia

 

                                        5. apnea - breathing cessation

                   

                              b. oxygen

                                        1. carotid bodies

                                        2. aortic arch

                                        3. sense low oxygen tension

                              c. pH

                                        1. decrease in pH or increase in

                                        hydrogen ion concentration separate

                                        from influence of carbon dioxide will

                                        stimulate respiration

 

                    5. exercise

                              a. hyperpnea

                                        1. deeper breathing

                              b. increase in ventilation not result of

                              chemicals, other neural control

                    6. altitude

                              a. acclimatization

                              b. Po2 is less

                              c. respond by increasing RBC production

 

V. Disorders

          A. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

                    1. Emphysema

                              a. enlargement of alveoli

                              b. deterioration of alveolar wall

                              c. fibrosis of lung

                                        1. less elasticity

                                        2. airways collapse with breathing

                              d.bronchioles collapse during expiration

                              and air is trapped in alveoli - barrel chest

                              e. not cyanotic until disease progresses

 

                    2. bronchitis

                              a. excessive mucus

                              b. block airways

 

          B. Lung Cancer

                    1. 1/3 cancer deaths in US

                    2. clearly associated with cigarette smoking

                    3. irritation, loss of cilia

                    4. mucosal cells lose histological sturcture and proliferate

                    5. removal of disease part

 

VI. Developmental

          A. Gas exchange via placenta not lungs

          B. Vascular shunts bypass lungs

          C. Fetal lungs filled with fluid

          D. Baby takes first breath in response to increases

          in blood carbon dioxide

 

          E. Developmental abnormalities

                    1. cleft palate - structural abnormalities

                    2. cystic fibrosis

                              a. oversecretion of mucus - a genetic

                              abnormality

                    3. RR = newborn 40-80/min

                                        infants 30/min

 

END