Gas pressures

The air is a mix of gases

Nitrogen
Oxygen
CO2
water vapor
Inert gases Ar, Ne, Ze, Kr

Atmospheric pressure
760 mm Hg

Partial pressure
Fraction of the total pressure (760 torr or mm Hg)
Total pressure depends on, altitude, temperature...
PP in the lungs is different than atmo due to gas exchange

Intrapulmonary: intraalveolar pressure

Intrapleural pressue
Determined direction of air flow

Physical aspect of ventilation

Depends on lung volume.
Physical properties that affect lung function: compliance, elasticity (elastic fibers cause recoil after
respiration, can be harmed by scar tissue and so), surface tension (in premature newborns no surfactant,
must be supllied artificialy.

Ventilation
Mechanical process to move air in and out of lungs.
Driven by partial pressure.

Vital capacity = total lung capacity – residual volume

Cyclical variation
Tidal volume
FRC

Minute ventilation
Describe the ability to change the amount of oxy in the blood
depends on tidal volume
Normal is 7.5 L/min

Alveolar ventilation
V.E = Vt X f
Vt = Vd + Va

Anatomic dead space

Volume of the lung not involved in gas exchange

Mouth, pharynx, larynx trachea, bronchi
Alveolar dead space
alveoli with no gas exchange

Physiological dead space:

ana +alveo dead space

Partitioning minute ventilation

Alveolar ventilation
Dead space ventilation

Factors determining alveolar PaCO2

Inspired air: no CO2
Increasing CO2 production: increases alveolar PaACO2
Increasing alveolar ventilation: decreases

Muscles of respiration
Inspiratory:
External intercostal
Parasternal intercostal

Accesory mm
Trapezious