Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Effects of Anaesthesia on Lung Function

Effects of Anaesthesia on Lung Function
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the basic science of those aspects of lung function not relating to gas exchange, focusing on the humidification of inspired gas, protection against inhaled pathogens, and the processing of drugs and hormones by the pulmonary circulation.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe how the lung warms and humidifies inspired gases
• Explain how the lung defends the body against inhaled pathogens
• Describe the metabolism of drugs and biologically active compounds by the pulmonary circulation
• Describe the endocrine functions of the lung

The lungs have many other important physiological functions apart from the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

The large surface area of the thin alveolar-capillary membrane constitutes a vulnerable interface between the outside world and the body. The lung must defend this against inhalation of cold, dry gases and particles including pathogens.

The pulmonary circulation has metabolically active endothelial cells that are involved in the processing of many naturally occurring substances and some drugs. The lung may also have some endocrine functions.