Pulmonary Circulation: Anatomy, Physiology, and
Pathology Questions and Correct Answers | Latest
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What is the primary function of the pulmonary circulation?
Ans: To facilitate gas exchange from environmental air into the
circulatory system.
What gas do we breathe in that diffuses into the blood?
Ans: Oxygen (O2).
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What gas do we exhale that is a metabolic byproduct?
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Ans: Carbon dioxide (CO2).
What are the small sacks of air in the lungs called?
Ans: Alveoli.
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How many alveoli are approximately present in healthy lungs?
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Ans: About 300 million.
What is diffusion in the context of pulmonary circulation?
Ans: The passive movement of gases from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration.
What does ventilation refer to?
Ans: The movement of air into and out of the lungs.
What is the importance of the total available surface area in the lungs?
Ans: It is crucial for effective gas diffusion; a decrease in surface area
can lead to hypoxia.
What is diffusion limitation?
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Ans: When the movement of O2 from alveoli to pulmonary vasculature
is impaired.
What is the ventilation/perfusion ratio (V/Q)?
Ans: A measure of the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs.
What happens to pulmonary blood flow during exercise?
Ans: Cardiac output increases, reducing the time for oxygenation and
potentially causing transient hypoxia.
What is bronchial circulation?
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Ans: The part of systemic circulation that supplies oxygenated blood to
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the lungs.
What percentage of the left ventricle's output does bronchial circulation
constitute?
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Ans: About 2%.
What are the main components of the pulmonary circulation?
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Ans: Arterial circuit, venous circuit, and lymphatics.
What is the arterial circuit of the pulmonary circulation?
Ans: It arises from the main pulmonary artery and divides into right and
left branches creating a network of small arteries and capillaries.
How does the thickness of pulmonary arteries compare to systemic
arteries?
Ans: Pulmonary arteries are thinner, about 1/3 the thickness of
systemic vessels.
What is the role of lymphatics in pulmonary circulation?