Basics of Pulmonary Function
This is the primary purpose of the pulmonary system.
What is gas exchange?
These airways conduct air but do not participate in gas exchange.
What are the conducting airways?
This respiratory group sets the basic automatic rhythm of breathing.
What is the VRG?
This term describes the lungs’ tendency to return to their resting state.
What is elastic recoil?
This condition triggers hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.
What is low alveolar oxygen?
This term describes the movement of air into and out of the lungs.
What is ventilation?
Gas‑exchange airways begin at this structure.
What are the respiratory bronchioles?
These receptors respond to noxious gases and dust.
What are irritant receptors?
Barometric pressure at sea level is approximately this value.
What is 760 mmHg?
Chronic alveolar hypoxia can lead to this condition.
What is pulmonary hypertension?
This process moves gases across the alveolocapillary membrane.
What is diffusion?
This functional unit includes respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.
What is the acinus?
Activation of these receptors decreases ventilatory rate and volume.
What are stretch receptors?
The partial pressure of water vapor in the respiratory tract is always this value.
What is 47 mmHg?
The pulmonary artery carries this type of blood to the lungs.
What is deoxygenated blood?
This term describes blood flow through pulmonary capillaries.
What is perfusion?
This membrane is the site of gas exchange between air and blood.
What is the alveolocapillary membrane?
These receptors respond to increased pulmonary capillary pressure.
What are J‑receptors?
Most oxygen in the blood is transported in this form.
What is bound to hemoglobin?
Gas exchange occurs because gases move according to this principle.
What is movement from high to low partial pressure?
This structure connects the upper and lower airways.
What is the larynx?
Air first enters the pulmonary system through this structure.
What is the nasal cavity?
These receptors monitor pH, PaCO₂, and PaO₂.
What are chemoreceptors?
Most carbon dioxide is transported in this form.
What is bicarbonate?
After gas exchange, oxygenated blood leaves the lungs through this vessel.
What is the pulmonary vein?