FRCA Notes


Respiratory Physiology

  • Alveolar gas equation
  • Dead space
  • Bohr equation
  • Shunt
  • Alveolar time constants
  • V/Q matching

  • Lung volumes
  • Measuring lung volumes
  • Spirometry
  • Flow-volume loops
  • Compliance
  • Surfactant
  • Work of breathing

  • Control of breathing
  • The cough reflex

  • Gas exchange
  • Oxygen delivery and transport
  • Oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve
  • Hypoxia
  • Pulmonary vascular resistance
  • Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
  • CO2 homeostasis
  • Physiological effects of hypercarbia

  • Effect of IPPV
  • Effect of anaesthesia on lung function
  • Altitude (hypobaric pressures)
  • Diving (hyperbaric pressures)
  • Non-respiratory functions of the lung