Lab #7: Respiratory Mechanics

Purpose: to determine relative contributions of elastic factors and surface tension factors to lung compliance

Pressures
•PB= Barometric Pressure
•Relative PB assumed to be 0
•Palv= Alveolar Pressure  cannot be measured
However: if there is NO FLOW, that means that Palv=PB so Palv=0
•Ppl= Pleural Pressure
•Palv - Ppl= Transpulmonary Pressure

Transpulmonary Pressure Ptp= Palv–Ppl

= 0 -(-5) at FRC*
= 5 cm H2O at FRC*
where pressures are expressed relative to PB.
*FRC is Functional Residual Capacity-the volume of air remaining in the lungs after a quiet
expiration (About 2500 ml in a normal adult.)

What pressure was being measured in the lab?

In the lab we measured the transpulmonary pressure by measuring the “inside” pressure
(Ptp=Palv in the lab)

Compliance Curve

The static compliance of the lung is

the change in volume for a given
change in transpulmonary pressure
with zero gas flow.

Dynamic compliance measurements

are made by monitoring the tidal
volume used, while intra thoracic
pressure measurements are taken
during the instance of zero air flow
that occur at the end inspiratory and
expiratory levels with each breath.

Lung compliance (C) is the slope of the lung volume versus transpulmonary pressure curve and is a measure of the
elastic behavior of the lung. The greater the lung compliance, the more easily the lung is distended. The elastic
behavior of the lung is due to elastic tissue and to surface tension.

SC (Specific Compliance) = CL/FRC  Compliance changes based on the size of the lung.

Chest Wall Compliance Total Compliance

The chestwall transmural pressure 1/Ctotal=1/Clung+1/Cwall
is used: Given: Clung= 200 ml/cm H2O
Pwall= Ppl-PB Cwall= 200 ml/cm H2O
= (-5) -0 at FRC Calculate Ctotal
= -5 cm H2O at FRC
 Hysteresis: Air
filled lung versus
saline filled lung

The Law of LaPlace (applies to each individual alveolus)

P=2T/r  P∝T, P∝1/r

Point B: radius at
minimum, pressure at
maximum

Surfactant

High radius, high

surface tension

Low radius, low

surface tension
Surface Tension and Elasticity Combined

Critical Pressures (we don’t reach critical closing pressure until after our very first breath)

Absorption Atelectasis
Respiratory Quotient
° Assume respiratory exchange rate for O2 and CO2 equals the respiratory quotient:
RQ = CO2 produced/O2 consumed (in humans: normally around 0.8)

Dissociation Curves