How is alveolar gas exchange affected by emphysema and pneumonia?

What will be an ideal response?


With pneumonia, if the lungs become edematous, the thickness of the exchange membrane may increase dramatically, restricting gas exchange, and body tissues begin to suffer from hypoxia. With emphysema, the lungs become progressively less elastic and more fibrous, which hinders both inspiration and expiration. Gas exchange remains adequate initially, but muscular activity must be enlisted to expire. Additionally, a symptom of emphysema is fusion of alveoli, resulting in less surface area for gas exchange.

Anatomy & Physiology

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These muscles increase thoracic cavity dimensions by elevating the first and second ribs during forced inhalation

A.   External intercostals B.   Scalenes C.   Transversus thoracis D.   Internal intercostals E.   Serratus posterior inferior

Anatomy & Physiology

The placenta, a vitally important metabolic organ, is made up of a contribution from mother and fetus. Which portion is from the fetus?

A) yolk sac B) umbilicus C) chorion D) amnion

Anatomy & Physiology

The blood transports more CO2 in the form of ________ than in any other form

A) carboxyhemoglobin B) carbaminohemoglobin C) bisphosphocarbonate D) bicarbonate ions E) dissolved CO2 gas

Anatomy & Physiology

There are two brachiocephalic veins and ________ brachiocephalic artery (or arteries)

A) no B) 1 C) 2

Anatomy & Physiology