Andrews University Biology Department Anatomy and Physiology II Spring 2008

Lab 4 - Respiratory Structures and Volumes

Name ___________________________ File # _____ Introduction Breathing, or ventilation, moves air into and out of the structures of the respiratory system. We can divide the respiratory system into the conducting zone and the respiratory zone. The conducting zone includes all of the cavities and structures that transport gases to and from the alveoli. The alveoli constitute the respiratory zone where gas exchange between alveolar air and blood within the pulmonary capillaries occurs. This gas exchange is termed external respiration, and it is distinguished from the gas exchange of internal respiration that occurs between the blood within the systemic capillaries and surrounding tissues. Please read Chapter 22, pages 842-857. Please TA signature ____________________

bring your textbook to lab!

Part I. Respiratory Structures Learn the following structures of the respiratory system for your exit quiz: (Figures 22.1, 22.3, 22.4, 22.7, 22.9, 22.11, and 22.12) I. Conducting zone nasal cavity anterior nares, posterior nares (choana) superior, middle, inferior conchae and meatuses pharynx nasopharynx oropharynx laryngopharynx uvula larynx epiglottis glottis hyoid bone trachea bronchial tree right and left primary bronchi secondary and tertiary bronchi bronchioles terminal bronchials II. Respiratory zone lungs lobes of left lung - superior, inferior lobes of right lung - superior, middle, inferior pleura parietal pleura visceral pleura continued on pg. 2

respiratory respiratory bronchioles alveolar duct alveolar sacs Exit Quiz Score ________/10 TA Signature_______________________

Part II. Spirometry: Measuring Respiratory Volumes and Capacities Spirometry allows us to visualize, measure, and calculate many components of pulmonary function (see Fig. 1). Respiration consists of repeating cycles of inspiration followed by expiration. During normal quiet breathing, a person inspires (inhales) a specific volume of air and then expires (exhales) it out of the lungs; this volume is the tidal volume (VT). During normal ventilation, the breathing frequency () is approximately 12-15 respiratory cycles per minute. The product of and VT is the minute respiratory volume (MRV), the amount of air exhaled in one minute of breathing. Breathing frequency and minute volume values vary with the level of activity and emotional state. In this lab exercise you will examine the respiratory cycle and measure changes in flow and volume.

Figure 1. Lung volumes and capacities See also text Figure 22.17 and read pp. 874-875 "Measurements of Ventilation. Tidal volume (VT) is the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs in one breath during quiet breathing. VT may vary greatly, and is affected by the ventilation habits of the subject and by the position of the subject during measurement. The tidal volume is normally approximately 500 ml. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) is the amount of air that can be forcefully expired after a tidal expiration. This volume is usually around 1200 ml of air. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) is the amount of air that can be forcefully inspired after a tidal inspiration. This volume is about 3000 ml of air, but can vary greatly. Heavy breathing due to exercise usually reduces IRV while increasing VT. Residual Volume (RV) is the volume of gas remaining in the lungs after a maximal expiration. This amount cannot be voluntarily exhaled, so we cannot determine the RV by spirometric recording. Using the equation RV = predicted VC X 0.25, we can determine a predicted RV value. This

equation predicts RV for 1634 year-old subjects of either sex. Residual volume is about 1300 ml of air. Vital Capacity (VC) is the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled by a person after inhaling fully, about 4700 ml. The vital capacity is equal to the sum of inspiratory reserve plus the tidal volume plus the expiratory reserve volume (VC = ERV + VT + IRV). Total Lung Capacity (TLC) is the total amount of air in the lungs at the end of a maximum inspiration, on average about 6000 ml of air. A. Becoming Familiar with the Equipment Spirometer set-up The spirometer you will use to measure several respiratory parameters has two functional parts (see Fig. 2): 1) Air flow components: the mouthpiece, filter, tubing, and flow head 2) Sensor, converter, and display hardware: spirometer pod, PowerLab, Mac laptop Note: The spirometer pod is sensitive to changes in temperature and position. Place it away from heat sources and do not move it during data collection.

Figure 2. Spirometer set-up. Practice breathing through the spirometer mouthpiece Choose a volunteer to be the breather. The volunteer should practice breathing through the mouthpiece with the noseclip in place (Fig. 3) until he/she becomes accustomed to the apparatus and can breathe normally.

Figure 3. The volunteer should hold the flow head as shown here.

Spirometer display Two windows display respiratory data (Fig. 4). The upper window shows Air Flow as liters per second (L/s) and the lower window shows Air Volume in liters (L). Locate the following function buttons: 1) Start/Stop recording 2) Air flow window pop-up menu Located in the upper right-hand corner of the Air Flow window, the pop-up menu displays several functions, including the spirometer pod zero function. 3) Marker (M) Function Located in the lower left-hand corner of the Air Volume window, the marker function allows the user to select specific points on Air Flow and Air Volume traces for measurements. 4) Range/Amplitude display Located in the upper right-hand corner of each window, this function displays the value of a measurement made with the Marker.

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Figure 4. A typical tidal breathing record, displayed at 20:1 horizontal compression. The Marker and Waveform Cursor are positioned to measure the Tidal Volume of a single breath.

B. Measuring and Calculating Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

Important: After turning on spirometry equipment, allow 10 min. for warm-up and equilibration. Zero the
spirometer before recording respiratory data. To do this, open the Air Flow window pop-up menu and select Spirometer Pod. Click the Zero button in the dialogue box and click OK.

Tidal Volume (VT) and Minute Respiratory Volume (MRV) procedure 1. The volunteer should position the noseclip and mouthpiece and begin a normal quiet breathing 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
pattern (tidal breathing). Make sure the volunteer is not facing the computer screen during the recording. Begin recording by clicking Start. Record tidal breathing for 20-30 sec. End the recording by clicking Stop. Examine the trace. Count the number of times the volunteer breathed over 20-30 seconds. Calculate the number of breaths per minute () and record this value in the Respiratory Data Table (on page 6). Locate the Marker (M) (in the lower left of the Chart window). Drag and place it on the Air Volume trace at the beginning of a quiet inspiration. Move the Waveform Cursor to the top of

the inspiratory peak. Record the value displayed in the Range/Amplitude display in the Respiratory Data Table. This is the tidal volume (VT). 7. Calculate the minute volume using the equation: Minute volume (L/min) = VT x Record the value of the minute volume in the Respiratory Data Table.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) procedure

1. The volunteer should position the noseclip and mouthpiece and begin a normal quiet breathing pattern (tidal breathing). 2. Begin recording by clicking Start. 3. At the end of a normal tidal inspiration ask the volunteer to breath in as deeply as possible and then to breathe normally. 4. End the recording by clicking Stop. 5. Examine the Air Volume trace. Determine the IRV by placing the Marker at the top of a normal tidal volume peak and placing the cursor at the top of the IRV peak. Record the IRV value in the Respiratory Data Table

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) procedure

1. The volunteer should position the nose clip and mouthpiece and begin a normal quiet breathing pattern (tidal breathing). 2. Begin recording by clicking Start. 3. At the end of a normal tidal expiration ask the volunteer to breath out as deeply as possible and then to breath normally. 4. End the recording by clicking Stop. 5. Examine the Air Volume trace. Determine the ERV by placing the Marker at the beginning of a normal tidal volume peak and placing the cursor at the bottom of the ERV trough. Record the ERV value in the Respiratory Data Table. Calculate Respiratory Volumes and Capacities Use the information you collected above and the equations listed below to calculate respiratory volumes and capacities. Record all values in the Respiratory Data Table. All units should be in L. 1. Inspiratory capacity (IC) = VT + IRV 2. Expiratory capacity (EC) = VT + ERV 3. Vital capacity (VC) = VT + IRV + ERV 4. Residual volume (RV) = predicted VC x 0.25 5. Total lung capacity (TLC) = VC + RV

Respiratory Data Table

Include the units of measurement! Tidal Volume (VT) Frequency () Minute Respiratory Volume (MRV) Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) Inspiratory Capacity (IC) Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) Expiratory Capacity (EC) Vital Capacity (VC) Residual Volume (predicted) (RV) Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

Questions
1. What is the minute respiratory volume (MRV)? Is this value constant, or does it change? Explain. (3 pts)

2. Are respiratory volumes and capacities the same for everyone? Explain. (2 pts)

3. What is the difference between vital capacity (VC) and total lung capacity (TLC)? (2 pts)

4. In your own words, define expiratory capacity (EC). (1 pt)

5. In your own words, define inspiratory capacity (IC). (1 pt)

6. What is the primary function of the respiratory system, and what is the basic structural and functional unit? (2 pts)

7. Briefly, describe the relationship between the respiratory system and the circulatory system. (2 pts)