This involves the study of how the lungs function, including topics such as gas exchange, ventilation, and pulmonary circulation.
Mechanics of Breathing: The process of air inhaled and exhaled from the lungs.
Gas Exchange and Diffusion: The molecular process by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the alveoli and capillaries.
Lung Volumes and Capacities: Types and measurements of lung volumes and capacities and what can affect them.
Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation: The circulatory pathway of blood from the pulmonary arteries, onto the lungs, and back to the heart.
Neural Control of Respiration: Nervous system regulation of the rate and depth of breathing.
Pulmonary Function Tests: Clinical diagnostic tests that measure how well lungs are functioning.
Acid-Base Balance: The regulation of the pH of the blood.
Respiratory Failure: The inability to maintain adequate levels of oxygen in the blood or manage carbon dioxide levels.
Obstructive and Restrictive Lung Diseases: Conditions that impair the flow of air into and out of lungs or limit lung expansion.
The Effect of Altitude on Breathing: Changes to breathing patterns and physiology when exposed to high altitudes.
Respiratory Mechanics: The study of how the lung tissue, airways, and mechanics of the chest wall work together to facilitate breathing.
Pulmonary Circulation: The study of the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the lungs, as well as the exchange of gases between the blood and the alveoli (site of gas exchange in the lungs).
Gas Exchange Physiology: The study of how oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported between the lungs and the rest of the body, including the mechanisms of gas diffusion and transport in the body tissues.
Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) Matching: The study of how the air flow (ventilation) in the lungs matches the blood flow (perfusion) to ensure that gas exchange takes place efficiently.
Respiratory Control: The study of the neural and chemical mechanisms that control the rate and depth of breathing, including the roles of the respiratory centers in the brainstem and chemical receptors in the body.
Lung Development: The study of how the lung develops from the fetal stage to adulthood, including the structural and functional changes of the respiratory system and its associated organs.
Respiratory Pathophysiology: The study of the causes, mechanisms, and effects of various respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
Exercise Physiology: The study of how the respiratory system adapts and responds to physical activity and exercise, including changes in breathing rate, heart rate, and oxygen uptake.