Pulmonary Physiology - Gas Pressures & Volumes
Module 2 - Dr. D. Penney




LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • To understand the relationships between the lung volumes most commonly referred to in clinical and experimental physiology (TV, IRV, ERV, FRC, VC, TLC ) and other widely cited parameters

  • To understand the concept of partial pressures of gases and how they are calculated.

  • To understand the concept of Dead Space and its contribution to Total (minute) Ventilation as opposed to Alveolar Ventilation.

  • To understand how the values of the partial pressures of the three respiratory gases change from the point of inspiration, through the "respiratory compartments" - to the expiration point, including the FRC's buffer role.



    The Ventilatory Cycle:
    The ventilatory cycle is much like the cardiac cycle, except that it consists of just 2 phases, inspiration and expiration, while the cardiac cycle usually consists of 6 phases. Tidal volume is analogous to stroke volume.



    The Ventilatory Cycle, showing Tidal Volume.


    Last Changed 05/12/00


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