Physiology

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 3rd lec

1ST PROF. 2ND SEMESTER

MARCH 2020
Compliance of lungs
spirometry
respiratory membrane
Compliance:

Compliance:
It is the ability of the lungs to expand for each increase in trans pulmonary
pressure.
The total compliance of both lungs is 200ml of air per cm of water trans
pulmonary pressure.

The factors that effect the compliance:

1. Elastic forces of lung tissue
It depend on elastin and collagen fiber of lungs parenchyma
NOTE: lung 2. Surfactant
compliance helps
in mechanism of It is secreted by alveolar type II epithelial cells. It works like a
ventilation
detergent and interferes with cohesiveness of water molecules
thereby reduce surface tension within alveoli and helps in3 keeping
alveoli open.
 Compliance Diagram of the
Lungs.. Compliance of the lungs
The characteristics of the
compliance diagram are
determined by the elastic forces of
the lungs. These can divided into
(1) 1/3 is due to elastic forces of
the lung tissue itself ( elastin,
collagen).
(2) 2/3 of the elastic forces caused
by surface tension of the fluid that
lines the inside walls of the alveoli
and other lung air spaces.
Surface tension
 Surfactant
 produced by alveolar type II cells.
 Interspersed among water molecules.
 Lowers surface tension.
 RDS, respiratory distress syndrome, in preemies.
 First breath: big effort to inflate lungs!

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Surface tension

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Diseases that affect compliance of lung
 Lung compliance is reduced in
pulmonary fibrosis , pulmonary
edema, diseases of the chest wall
( kyphosis, scoliosis, paralysis of the
muscles, etc…).
 Emphysema increases the
compliance of the lungs because it
destroys the alveolar septal tissue
rich with elastic fibers that normally
opposes lung expansion.
SPIROMETRY:
 It is the process of recording volume movement of air into and out of lungs.
It measures the function of the lungs by lung volumes and capacities.
1. Tidal volume:
Volume of air inspired or expired with each normal breath. It is 500ml.
2. Residual volume:
volume of air remaining in the lungs after most forceful expiration. It is 1200ml.
3. Inspiratory reserve volume:
maximum extra volume of air that can be inspired, over and above normal tidal
volume. It is 3000ml
4. Expiratory reserve volume:
maximum extra volume of air can be expired by forceful expiration after end of tidal
volume. It is 1100ml.
LUNG CAPACITIES:
They are the combination of two or more volumes.
1. Total lung capacity:
maximum volume to which lung can be expanded with greatest possible effort. It is
5800ml.
total lung capacity=vital capacity + residual volume
2. Vital capacity:
it is the maximum amount of air person can expel from lungs after first filling the
lungs to there maximum capacity. Its value is 4600ml.
Vital capacity= inspiratory reserve volume + tidal volume + expiratory reserve vol
3. Inspiratory capacity:
it is the ability to breath in, beginning at normal inspiratory level and
thereafter distend the lungs to maximum. Its value is 3500ml.
inspiratory capacity = tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume

4. Functional residual capacity:

It is the air remain in the lungs at the end of normal expiration. It is
2300ml.
functional residual capacity= residual volume + expiratory reserve volume
SPIROMETRY:

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RESPIRATORY MEMBRANE:
It is the site of gas exchange between alveolar air and pulmonary blood. Its
thickness is from 0.2 to 0.06 micro meter average and surface area 70 square
meter and blood in any given time in capillaries of lung is 60 to140 ml so
every RBC touch the capillary wall and oxygen and carbon dioxide easily get
exchanged from the blood to the air or vice versa. It comprises of, from inside
to outside
1. Fluid and surfactant layer
2. Alveolar epithelium
3. Epithelial basement membrane
4. Interstitial fluid
5. Basement membrane of capillary
6. Endothelium of capillary
Respiratory membranes:
Alveolar capillary interface

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