Pulmonary Ventilation

Pulmonary ventilation, more commonly known as breathing, is one of the very first things that takes place between the heart and the lungs. It allows the inflow and outflow of air that is shared between the lungs and atmosphere. This process exchanges gases between the air outside and the alveoli that are in the lungs. There are receptors in the human body that can detect any kind of changes concerning movement and pressure. These receptors can either increase or decrease the breathing rate. If these receptors detect a rise in blood pressure in the circulatory system, they encourage slower breathing and if blood pressure is low, they tend to speed up the breathing rate.

Pulmonary Diffusion

The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood is known as the process of pulmonary diffusion. Pulmonary diffusion is also referred to as being the diffusion capacity in biology, and this is a measurement of the lung's overall ability to be able to transfer gases successfully. If there is the presence of either high pulmonary blood flow and or low amounts of available oxygen, the diffusion may be limited as to what it can do. Carbon monoxide is not affected at all by any circumstances and neither is its overall diffusion. Diseases that occur to the pulmonary blood vessels, such as pulmonary hypertension, can cause a reduction in diffusion. Pulmonary hypertension occurs as a result of increased blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, vein or capillaries. Collectively, it is known as the lung vasculature and it can cause shortness of breath, fainting or dizziness. It can lead to heart failure if left untreated.

Blood Flow

A four percent volume of carbon dioxide is taken from the tissues and then sent to the lungs to be exhaled. Carbon monoxide can sometimes interfere with the transport of oxygen in the blood. Hemoglobin is responsible for the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to peripheral tissues. Oxygen lack is called hypoxia and if there is a complete lack of oxygen, it is called anoxia. Stagnant hypoxia can cause a decreased blood flow and sustain normal arterial oxygen tension known as pressure. Low arterial oxygen tension can lead to pulmonary edema.

Exchange of Gases

The exchange of gases between the tissues of the body and capillary blood vessels are necessary in order to maintain life. Without this process, living tissue would die, because it would be deprived of the gases it must have in order to survive. When blood leaves the heart, it contains molecules that hold oxygen. This oxygen is distributed throughout the body. A network of very small capillaries makes sure both the arterial flow and the venous flow of blood come together. Capillaries are the background where the gases are exchanged, and this environment insures that the process does take place. Blood that flows through capillaries gives nutrients to the cells. It also gets rid of any waste products that come from cell metabolism. Capillaries nourish the body by providing the required nutrients to the living tissue that makes up the body.

Interactions

The heart, the lungs and all of the adjoining blood vessels work together to keep the circulatory system healthy and working efficiently to sustain life. They are interdependent. The heart pumps blood, the lungs deliver oxygen, and the blood vessels carry the required blood and nutrients that are needed to keep the heart and the lungs going.