SPIROMETRY

1. What are the factors affecting vital capacity

• Sex
• Lung capacity
• Respiratory apparatus functioning
• Decreases in old age – loss of elasticity
• Strength of respiratory muscles - more in swimmers and divers
• Pregnancy

2. Name the volume and capacities that cannot be measured

directly using Student’s spirometer
Total lung capacity
Residual volume
Functional residual capacity

3. What is Breathing Reserve?

This is the largest reserve for ventilation.
Breathing reserve is the difference between the maximal
voluntary ventilation (MVV) and the minute ventilation. (MV).
Breathingreserve (MVV – MV) : 115 to 160 L/min
4. What is Dyspnoeic index?

Dyspneicindex :> 90% (< 60% indicates dyspnea at rest).

Dyspnea is present when this index falls below 60% to 70%
which is called dyspneoic point.

5. What are the normal values of Tidal volume, expiratory

reserve volume and vital capacity in an adult male and
female
Tidal volume – 500 ml
Expiratory reserve volume-1100 ml
Vital capacity in male- 4600ml
Female-3400 ml

6. Comment on FVC & FEV1% in restrictive and obstructive

disease?
In obstructive, both FVC & FEV1% are reduced. FEV1 is more
reduced in proportion
In restrictive, FVC is low & FEV1% is normal
7. Define dead space. Write a note on Anatomical and
Physiological Dead space.
Dead space is the volume of air that does not take part in gas
exchange because it either remains in conductive pathway or
remaining alveoli thar are not perfused or poorly perfused.
For each 500 ml of air inhaled, about 150 ml remains in the
conducting airways,
which is not used in gas exchange
Volume of respiratory tract starting from nose to the generation-
16 airways is called anatomic dead space.
The sum of the anatomical dead space and alveolar dead space is
called physiological dead space.
 STETHOGRAPH
1. What is Deglutition apnea?
Temporary stoppage of breathing when food or fluid is
swallowed is called Deglutition apnea. It is a reflex
phenomenon.

2. What is the effect of exercise on respiration?

During exercise, hyperventilation occurs due to stimulation of
respiratory centres by increased discharge from the
proprioceptors in the joints, ligaments and muscles. The rate and
depth of respiration increases, thereby increasing the availability
of oxygen to the exercising muscles.

3. What is the normal breath holding time in adults?

Normal breath holding time is 48 to 55 seconds.

4. What is the physiological basis for breaking point?

The breaking is due to rise in arterial pCO2 and fall in pO2 as
body tissues continue to utilize oxygen and produce carbon
dioxide. The rise in arterial pCO2 and fall in pO2 stimulate
central and peripheral chemoreceptors respectively, which in
turn stimulates respiration.

5. What are the changes in respiration that occur following

hyperventilation and swallowing?
 Periodic breathing occurs following voluntary
hyperventilation. There occurs apnea followed by a brief
period of hyperapnea.
 During swallowing, there is temporary cessation of
respiration called deglutition apnea.
6. What is periodic breathing? Give examples.
Periodic breathing (Cheyne-stokes breathing) is characterized by
alternating apnea and hyperventilation.
Physiological causes:
Sleep (especially in infants)
High altitude
Following hyperventilation
Pathological causes:
Left ventricular failure
Brain damage