Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Intrapleural Pressure, Transpulmonary Pressure, Alveolar Pressure
25 May 2016
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Module 10: respiratory system | page 1 of 14. Lungs are located in the thoracic cavity and are surrounded by the rib cage and diaphragm: right lung has 3 lobes, left lung has 2 lobes. Airway consists of the nasal cavity and mouth, which join together at the pharynx. Pharynx leads to larynx (voice box), which leads to/becomes the trachea (windpipe: trachea contains rings of cartilage that help hold it open. Pulmonary artery delivers deoxygenated blood to the lungs: branches to form a dense capillary network around each alveolus. The structural characteristics maximize gas exchange (oxygen diffuses into cell, carbon dioxide out) in the alveoli: thin endothelial walls, large total cross-sectional area, very low blood velocity. Pulmonary vein then carries the oxygenated blood (from capillaries) back to the left side of the heart. Module 10: respiratory system | page 2 of 14.
