Many factors affect respiratory capacity for

example, a person¶s size, sex, age, and

physical
condition.

The normal quit breathing moves

approximately
500 ml of air into and out of the lungs with
each breath. This respiratory volume is
referred to as the Ú
  {TV)
 i person can inhale much more than is
taken during a normal, or tidal breath . The
amount of air that can be taken in forcibly
over the tidal volume is the
 Ú 
    V)
ifter a normal expiration, more air can be
exhaled. The amount of air that can be
forcibly exhaled after a tidal expiration, the
 Ú     V)is
approximately 1200 ml.
 îven after the most strenuous expiration,
about 1200 ml of air still remains in the
lungs, and it cannot be voluntarily expelled.
This is the 
 

Residual volume is important because it

allows gas exchange to go on continuously
even between breaths and helps keep the
alveoli open. (inflated)
 The total amount of exchangeable air is
typically around 4800 ml in healthy young
males, and this respiratory capacity is the
 Ú Ú
Much of the air that enters the respiratory
tracts remains in the conducting zone
passageways and never reaches the alveoli.
This is called the

 
J
 
a The average total lung capacity of an adult
human male is about 6 litres of air, but only
a small amount of this capacity is used
during normal

J
  and 



  refer to the volume of air
associated with different phases of the
respiratory cycle. Lung volumes are directly
measured. Lung capacities are inferred
from lung volumes.
x

 
 

x

  
(Õ
  



) refers to
the physiological mechanisms involved
in the control of physiologic ventilation.
Gas exchange primarily controls the rate
of respiration.
Ventilation is normally controlled by
the autonomic nervous system, with only
limited voluntary override
 The activity of the respiratory muscles, the
diaphragm and the external intercostals, is
regulated by nerve impulses transmitted to
them from the brain by the 

and


 
 .
The neural centers that control the
respiratory rhythm and depth are located in
the V  and

 The medulla, which sets the basic rhythm
of breathing, contains a 


  

 , as well as other
respiratory centers.
The pons centers appear to smooth out
the basic rythym of inspiration and expiration
set by the medulla.
i


isthma
common chronic inflammatorydisease of
the airways characterized by variable
and recurring symptoms, reversible
airflow obstruction,
and bronchospasm. Symptoms
include wheezing, coughing, chest
tightness, and shortness of breath
a ¦

  
 bronchial spasm is a sudden
constriction of the muscles in the
walls of the bronchioles
- causes difficulty in breathing which `
can be very mild to severe
ipnea
- is a term for suspension of
external breathing
- there is no movement of
the muscles of respiration and the
volume of the lungs initially remains
unchanged
ypercapnia
- known as hypercarbia, is a condition
where there is too much carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Carbon
dioxide is a gaseous product of
the body's metabolism and is normally
expelled through the lungs.
- normally triggers a reflex which
increases breathing and access to
oxygen, such as arousal and turning the
head during sleep