Respiratory System

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. describe the functional organisation of respiratory tract; 2. outline functions of lungs, respiratory and non-respiratory; 3. explain the mechanics of breathing; 4. discuss the role of surfactant compliance; 5. describe lung volumes and capacities; 6. discuss respiratory changes during exercise, mechanism of sneezing, yawning, cough; 7. explain obstructive/restrictive lung disease, FEV1/FVC; 8. differentiate types of respiratory failure, types I and II, artificial respiration; and 9. explain oxygen therapy and its toxicity.

Physiologic anatomy of respiratory apparatus. Brief review of relevant gas laws. Lung volumes. Mechanics of breathing. Gas diffusion through alveoli, capillary membrane. Pulmonary circulation, ventilation perfusion ratio. O2 and CO2 transport. Control of respiration, hypoxias, O2 treatment, abnormal types of breathing. Altitude and depth acclimatization. Respiratory adjustments in health and disease. Aerospace physiology. Deep sea diving.