Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals Flashcards
7 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals flashcards as text
Which cellular organelle is primarily responsible for aerobic ATP production and is most directly affected by oxygen availability in hyperbaric therapy?
Answer: Mitochondria
Mitochondria perform oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP, a process that depends on adequate oxygen supply.
The blood-brain barrier is primarily formed by which cell type surrounding cerebral capillaries?
Answer: Astrocytes
Astrocyte end-feet wrap around cerebral capillaries and contribute to tight junction formation, creating the blood-brain barrier.
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, oxygen delivery to tissues is enhanced because dissolved plasma oxygen bypasses which normal physiological limiting factor?
Answer: Hemoglobin oxygen-carrying capacity
HBOT increases dissolved plasma O₂ so tissue oxygenation continues even when hemoglobin is saturated or unavailable (e.g., CO poisoning, anemia).
Which anatomical structure separates the right and left ventricles and, if defective, can cause paradoxical gas embolism in hyperbaric patients?
Answer: Patent foramen ovale
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) allows venous gas emboli to cross directly into arterial circulation, causing paradoxical arterial gas embolism.
The Hering-Breuer reflex, which prevents lung over-inflation, is mediated by stretch receptors located in which structure?
Answer: Bronchial smooth muscle and lung parenchyma
Pulmonary stretch receptors in the airways and lung parenchyma send inhibitory signals via the vagus nerve to stop inspiration when lungs are sufficiently inflated.
In the context of oxygen toxicity, which tissue site is most vulnerable to CNS oxygen toxicity during hyperbaric exposure at pressures above 2.0 ATA?
Answer: Cerebral cortex neurons
Cortical neurons are highly sensitive to superoxide and hydroxyl radical formation under hyperoxia, predisposing to CNS O₂ toxicity seizures.
The functional residual capacity (FRC) of the lungs represents which combination of lung volumes?
Answer: Expiratory reserve volume + residual volume
FRC is the volume remaining in the lungs after a normal passive exhalation, comprising expiratory reserve volume plus residual volume.