Mechanic of

breathing
By prof. Dr.
Soheir helmy

Definition
Transport of oxygen from
atmosphere to tissue
Oxidation of food stuff and
removal of CO2

Classification:
1- External respiration
Pulmonary ventilation

Gas exchange

2- Carriage of gases (O2, CO2) by

blood.
3- Internal respiration.
,I

Respiratory cycle:
Each respiratory cycle consists of

- 1-Inspiration:

Active process (needs energy)

Contraction of respiratory muscles (diaphragm and
intercostal muscles)
Thoracic cavity increase and air rush in.
Its duration 1.3 sec.

Respiratory cycle:
2-Expiration:

Passive process
Relaxation of respiratory muscles
Reduction of the thoracic cavity size
Air rush out
Duration 1.7 sec.

3-Expiratory pause.

Mechanics of respiration

Muscles of respiration

1-diaphragm:It is responsible for

about 75% of
respiration
Contraction of
diaphragm leads to
its descend from 1.57cm
It is supplied by
phrenic
nerve(cervical 3,4,5)

Muscles of respiration

2-External intercostal Ms.:

Their Contraction increase the

antero-posterior diameter and
transverse diameter of the chest.
Nerve supply:1-10 thoracic
segments.

Mechanics of Inspiration:

As a result of contraction of both

Diaphragm and Intercostal ms.:
Chest increase in all its dimensions.
Lung follows the chest passively.
Lung volume increase and the intra
pulmonary pressure decrease to about -2
mmHg.
Intra pleural pressure decrease to -6
mmHg
Air rush in (inspiration).

How Expiration occurs

Relaxation of respiratory Ms.

Chest decrease in all its dimensions.
Lung volume decrease & intra
pulmonary pressure increase to
about +2 mmHg.
Air rush out (expiration).

Forced respiration:

Forced inspiration:
Accessory muscles of respiration
(sternocleiomastoid, serratus
anterior & scalini muscle)
Forced expiration:
Active process contraction of
abdominal muscles & internal
intercostal.

Pulmonary ventilation

Air flow to the lung

It is affected by :
1- Resistance of the air passage.
2-pressures in the thoracic
cavity( I.P.P & I.Pul.P)
3- surfactant
4-lung & chest compliance.

Factors affecting
pulmonary ventilation

Resistance of
respiratory
passage

Pressure
relationship in
thoracic cavity

Surfactant

Chest and lung

compliance

Diameter of air passege

Bronchial
mucosa
Bronchial muscle tone

Nervous

Chemical

Reflex

Pressure gradient

Inspiration
Bronchodilatation

A.N.S.

Expiration
bronchoconstriction

Bronchial muscle tone

Nervous factors:Autonomic nervous system

Sympathetic >>>>>bronchodilation.
Parasympathetic>>>>bronchoconstrict
ion.
Chemical factors:Histamine>>>constriction
Serotonin>>>constriction
Platelet activating factor

Intra pulmonary
pressure

It is the pressure inside lung alveoli.

It is connected to the atmosphere.
It equals -2mmHg during inspiration.
+2mmHg during expiration.
It equals atmospheric pressure in
the expiratory pause.

Intra pleural pressure

It is the pressure inside the pleural

cavity.
It is a negative pressure.
It equals -3mmHg during expiration.
It equals -6 mmHg during
inspiration.

surfactant

It is a lipoprotein substance.
It is synthesized and released from type
11 alveolar cells.
Functions of surfactant:1-it decreases the surface tension of the
fluid lining the alveoli so it helps lung
expansion.
It may activate and exert stimulant
effect on macrophage.

surfactant

It has a bacteriolytic effect,

rendering the bacteria more
susceptible to alveolar macrophage.
It assists the ciliary movement of
upper respiratory tract.
Surfactant decrease in :Respiratory distress syndrome.
cigarette smoking.

compliance

Ability of the lung and chest to expand.

Expansibility of the lung and chest wall.
Factors affecting:Lung factors
Elastic force of the lung tissues,
compliacce decreases in cases of fibrosis.
Surface tension of the lung and surfactant

compliance

Factors in the chest wall

The elastic properties of the thorax
are caused by the natural elasticity
of muscles, tendons and connective
tissues of the chest.