Alveolar macrophage: Engulf particulate matter and microorganisms
Alveolar type 1 cell: Allow for gas exchange
Alveolar type 2 cell: Produce pulmonary surfactant to reduce surfacetension within alveoli
Respiration:
Pulmonary ventilation
Alveolar gas exchange
Gas transport
Systemic gas exchange
Pulmonary ventilation: Is the process of air moving between the atmosphere and the alveoli.
The movement of air is dependent on differences in pressure between the environment and the thoracic cavity/lungs.
Air flow through airways is dependent upon pressuregradient.
When pressure inside the lungs is less than atmospheric pressure, air flows into the lungs.
During inspiration the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, and intrapulmonary pressure decreases. Air then flows into the alveoli.
During expiration the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles relax and the elastic tissue of the lungs and chest cavity recoil, air moves out.
A spirometer can be used to assess ventilation, tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and expiratory reserve volume.
Expiratoryreservevolume (ERV): The amount of air expelled from the lungs during forced expiration, following a quiet expiration. Measure of lung and chest wall elasticity
Inspiratoryreservevolume: Amount of air taken into the lungs during forced inspiration, following a quiet inspiration. IRV is a measure of lung compliance
Residualvolume (RV): Amount of air left in lungs following a forced expiration
Tidalvolume (TV): Volume of air taken into or expelled out of lungs during quiet breath
Functionalresidual capacity: Amount of air normally left in lungs after quiet expiration
Inspiratorycapacity: Total ability to inspire
totallungcapacity: Total amount of air that can be in lungs
Vitalcapacity: Measure of the strength of respiration