Page 1 of 10
PY6.1-13 | Introduction to Respiratory Physiology
Learning Objectives
- Describe the functional anatomy of the respiratory system relevant to physiology — airways, alveoli, and the respiratory membrane (PY6.1)
- Describe the mechanics of normal respiration — the role of diaphragm, intercostal muscles, intrapleural pressure, and Boyle's law in generating airflow (PY6.2)
- Discuss the principles of lung compliance, elastance, and surface tension, and the role of surfactant (PY6.3)
- Describe lung volumes and capacities, and demonstrate the use of a spirometer (PY6.4)
- Define and calculate dead space — anatomical, physiological, and alveolar (PY6.5)
- Describe the composition of alveolar air and the factors affecting it (PY6.6)
- Describe the diffusion of gases across the respiratory membrane — Fick's law and factors affecting gas exchange (PY6.7)
- Describe oxygen transport in blood — dissolved O2, oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve, and factors shifting the curve (PY6.8)
- Describe carbon dioxide transport — dissolved, bicarbonate, and carbaminohaemoglobin forms (PY6.9)
- Describe the ventilation-perfusion ratio and its regional variations in the upright lung (PY6.10)
- Describe the neural regulation of respiration — respiratory centres, Hering-Breuer reflex, and voluntary control (PY6.11)
- Describe the chemical regulation of respiration — role of CO2, O2, and H+ on central and peripheral chemoreceptors (PY6.12)
- Describe the physiological basis of common respiratory function tests and their clinical application (PY6.13)
INSTRUCTIONS
This module covers respiratory physiology — the science of how air moves in and out of your lungs, how gases are exchanged and transported, and how your body regulates every breath you take. We build from mechanics to gas exchange to chemical control.
Parallel connections: In Anatomy, you've studied the thoracic cage (AN21) — pump-handle and bucket-handle movements, intercostal muscles, and the diaphragm. Those are the structures that generate airflow; now we study the physics and physiology of that airflow. In Anatomy, you're also studying the lungs (AN23) — lobes, bronchopulmonary segments, and the alveolar architecture. In Biochemistry, you're learning about gas exchange biochemistry — haemoglobin's oxygen binding, carbonic anhydrase, and the chloride shift.
References
- Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed., Chapters 38–42: Respiration (textbook)
- Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed., Chapter 35: Gas Transport & pH (textbook)
- OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Chapter 22: The Respiratory System (CC BY 4.0) (textbook (CC BY 4.0))
- West's Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials, 11th ed. (textbook)
Version 2.0 | NMC CBUC 2024, Adapted from OpenStax A&P 2e (CC BY 4.0)