Blood Supply to the Lungs: Two Circulations, One Vital Organ

 Today I am looking at the bloody supply to our lungs

The lungs have a unique dual blood supply. One circulation makes gas exchange possible, while the other nourishes the lung tissue itself. Together, they keep oxygen moving into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide moving out.

Deoxygenated blood leaves the right ventricle through the pulmonary trunk, which divides into the right and left pulmonary arteries. These arteries follow the branching airways and form capillary networks around the alveoli. Across the thin alveolar–capillary membrane, carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air spaces, while oxygen diffuses into the blood. Oxygenated blood then returns to the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.

The bronchial arteries arise from the systemic circulation, usually from the thoracic aorta or nearby branches. They deliver oxygenated blood to the bronchi, connective tissue, visceral pleura and supporting structures of the lungs. Some bronchial venous blood drains through the bronchial veins, while some enters the pulmonary veins, creating a small normal contribution to the physiological shunt.

The pulmonary circulation is a low-pressure, high-flow system designed for efficient gas exchange. The bronchial circulation operates at systemic pressure and supports the metabolic needs of the lung tissue. Connections between the two systems can provide some backup blood flow, but they can also become clinically important in conditions involving inflammation, obstruction or bleeding.

Let’s look at what happens if there is a blockage a blockage in a pulmonary artery, most often caused by a blood clot that has travelled from a deep vein in the leg or pelvis, is called a pulmonary embolism. It reduces or stops blood flow to part of the lung, so that area may still receive air but cannot exchange gases effectively with the blood. This can lower oxygen levels, increase pressure on the right side of the heart and, if the blockage is large or there are multiple clots, cause haemodynamic collapse or death. Possible symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that may worsen with breathing, a rapid heart rate, coughing up blood, dizziness or fainting. A suspected pulmonary embolism requires urgent medical assessment.

 

Week 41 of 2026

 

Daylight savings has started today, Tim is working doing rail again. It has been a warm day, I didn’t feel great this morning but improved after a 20-minute nap.

The improved state didn’t last long, and I had to have another nap 2hrs later. After that I felt much better, well till around 5pm when the restless tremor started again.

For some reason I keep thinking it is Sunday.

Steps: 7, 388

I slept well but I was up at 4.30am, I woke and felt restless, so I go up. Tim is working this afternoon he will leave around 12.30pm and should be home around 9pm.

It’s been a good day I managed to do a few things around the house and sort through a locked box of stuff, it contained the girl’s baptism certificates and a copy of my Tax File Number which I looked everywhere for last year.

Tim rang to let me know he will be home later then expected as he was asked to do an extra run.

Steps: 8,352

I slept well but when I woke up at 2.30am and discovered that Tim wasn’t home yet but when I looked outside, I could see the car and the boot opened so I knew he had just arrived home. I went back to bed and sleep till 4am when I woke again and decided to just get up.

Tim left for work around 9.30am and rang at 11am to tell me he was heading home he was over his hours.

I was able to walk down and post some letters that felt good.

It has been a nice day warm not to hot nor is it cold.

Steps:10,508

I slept well but was up and down to the toilet and by 4.15am I had enough and decided to get up.

Tim was up at 4.30am he has an early start well he said he signs on at 6am but he doesn’t like to be late. This I understand.

It is much cooler today I am long pants again, after a few warm days.

After telling myself that I needed to mop the kitchen floor for the two weeks I finally did it.

Tim has an outpatient appointment at the JHH tomorrow, but when he asked about time off for it, he was told no can do. So, he has had me ring and tell the hospital. Instead of waiting on hold I selected the call back option, it took 2.5hrs for them to ring. When I spoke to them the woman was understanding and said he will get a letter with the new appointment. I made sure they changed the address from the P O Box to the house addressed.          

Steps: 8,063

I had another good night woke at 4am, peed and went back to bed and till the alarm went off at 5am.

Tim was up and long gone he signed on at 4.30ish, he will be home around 3.30ish.

I was sweeping when the broom head came off, I knew it would at some point, but I have another one in the linen press I just have to put it together.

I am having a so so day, the weather is cool but dry.       

Steps:7,963

Dental App Monday 19^th 10am

It was another good night woke at 4.50am. I walked down and posted some letters.

Tim and I are going to Gosford to meet his sister Jenny and her husband Christ for lunch it is an hour’s drive

Lunch was good we spend an hour & a half there we went to Gosford Sailing Club, and the meal was good.

It has been a warm day, I closed my eyes on the trip there and after we had finished eating while Tim & Jenny chatted, I found myself closing my eye having an effort to keep them open, so naturally I closed them on the way home.

 

Steps: 6,689

I got up at 4.50am and after two hours I have had a wash, got dressed, swept and vacuumed, I then swept outside, finished writing yesterday’s diary entry and checked emails and I am now reading blog posts.

It was a cool start to the day but by 11am it was 30c.

Tim left for work at 10.20am I’m not sure what time he will be home just some time tonight.

Steps: 7,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country with the most cats

 

 

Hi everyone, Archie here with Jo-Anne’s edition of Caturday 

Today we are looking for a bit more at domestic cats mainly which country has the most domestic cats. The answer is the USA but that’s not surprising considering how large the country is.

There is an estimated total of about 74 million cats more than China, with roughly 53 million, and Russia, with about 23 million.

Why are cats so popular in the US? They suit many lifestyles: cats can thrive in houses or apartments, are generally more independent than dogs, and have become beloved companions in millions of households.

On important thing to note is that this global cat estimate is compiled from surveys and different national sources. They usually count owned pets—not feral or stray cats—so figures vary by source and year. Even so, the United States consistently ranks first for the total number of pet cats.

Wondering what cat colour is most popular?

There is no single worldwide survey of people’s favourite cat colour, but the tabby is widely regarded as the most common and recognisable coat. Tabby is actually a pattern—stripes, swirls or spots—rather than one colour, and the brown tabby is often described as its most common variation.

Lastly having the most cats overall does not necessarily mean having the highest cat-ownership rate. A smaller country may have more cats per person or a higher share of households with a cat.

 

Meat-Eating Dinosaurs: Predators of the Prehistoric World

  

This week I am sharing a bit about meat-eating dinosaurs, also called carnivorous dinosaurs.

These were some of the most formidable animals ever to walk the Earth. They lived during the Mesozoic Era, from about 252 million to 66 million years ago. Most belonged to a group known as theropods, which typically walked on two powerful hind legs and had sharp teeth, grasping claws, and keen senses.

One of the most famous carnivores was the Tyrannosaurus rex it was one of the largest land predators, with a massive skull and bone-crushing bite.

Another well-known but not by me was the Velociraptor was much smaller than films often suggest, but it was agile and carried a curved claw on each foot.

Also mentioned in the book I’m using was the Spinosaurus, also not one I have heard of but then I am not really into dinosaurs anyway this one was recognised by the tall sail along its back, had a long, narrow snout and may have hunted fish as well as other prey.

These creatures are built to hunt they used different strategies to obtain food. Some chased living prey, while others may also have scavenged carcasses. Forward-facing eyes helped certain species judge distance, strong legs provided speed or stability, and serrated teeth sliced through flesh. Fossilised bones with bite marks, along with preserved teeth and footprints, help palaeontologists reconstruct these feeding behaviours.

 

Although the giant non-bird dinosaurs disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous Period, their story did not end completely. Birds evolved from small feathered theropods, making today’s birds living members of the dinosaur family tree. By studying meat-eating dinosaurs, scientists continue to learn how ancient ecosystems worked and how predators adapted to a changing world.

 

Lung Capacity

 

Today I am looking at our lung capacity.

Lung capacity describes the amount of air the lungs can hold and move during breathing. It is not a single measurement; instead, it includes several volumes that show how the lungs work during normal breathing, deep inhalation, and forceful exhalation.

The key measurements are:

Tidal volume: the amount of air moved in or out during an ordinary breath.

Vital capacity: the greatest amount of air a person can exhale after taking the deepest possible breath.

Total lung capacity: all the air in the lungs after a maximum inhalation, including air that cannot be voluntarily breathed out.

Residual volume: the air left in the lungs after the strongest possible exhalation; it helps prevent the lungs from collapsing.

Our lung capacity varies with age, height, body size, physical fitness, posture, and health. It may be reduced by conditions that narrow the airways, damage lung tissue, restrict chest movement, or weaken breathing muscles. Regular aerobic activity can improve how efficiently the body uses oxygen, although it may not greatly change the lungs’ anatomical size.

To test our lung capacity is tested using something called a spirometry it measures how much air a person can breathe out and how quickly they can do so. The results are compared with expected values for someone of a similar age and height. Some measurements, including total lung capacity and residual volume, require additional lung-function tests.

 

Week 40 of 2026

 

Had another good night, I woke at 4.30am and it is a cool start to the morning.

The day is cold and wet around 11am Tim walked inside said something about mowing the back lawn and then said he was going to get ready for work. He has been called in to do rail from Newie to Central; he should be home around 9.30pm

Blain and his girlfriend came down to see me when they were visiting Tasha, they arrived just after Tim left for work.

I have a lot of lower back pain on my left side this afternoon so much pain that moving is difficult.

Steps: 6,521

Another good night woke at 4.57 to the sound of rain the temp is 13c or 55f and not supposed to go above 18c.

My back pain has eased, and I can move with wanting to cry.

I was sitting in my armchair when I noticed Sue turn up, she brought over some chocolate cake.

Tim spent all day out the back doing whatever, at least he isn’t just sitting around watching his phone.

I had wanted to do more stuff myself but the pain in my lower back stopped that.

Steps: 6, 995

Another good night, slept through till 4.11am but after peeing I went back to sleep till 4.50am when I got up it is a chilly 8c or 46f.

I was able to walk down and post some letters as the back pain isn’t as bad yesterday.

Tim has had another productive day took the cans to cash in, then found a couple of pallets which he broke up this afternoon as well as finishing the back lawn and then mowing the front lawn. After all that his back is aching. I suggested he apply a heat patch which he did, only to say20-minutes later that it wasn’t working as it was barely warm. I took it an applied it to my hip area I will leave it there overnight.

Steps:9,040

DR BABU 18-1-2027 at 3.40pm

Slept well, I was awake and up by 4.15am, had my shower before coming out to clean the kitchen, sweep and vacuum then have breakie. The temp at 6am was 6c or 43f.

Tim rang the doctors to make an appointment and while talking to the receptionist it was discovered that she was once a bus driver and ask Tim he knew someone and he did another driver he has known for 15yrs.

Received a parcel containing two very nice white pillowcases that I never bought and have no idea why I have them. Yes, there is a return address but it’s the business address and that doesn’t help. Ok I now remember ordering them.

Steps: 8,555

I slept well and was up at 4.50am it is going to be a hot day, I am just not 100% with it this morning my left knee and calf is so painful.

Shopping with Sue this morning and even though I felt mentally good the pain in my leg has made walking so difficult.

When I got home, I changed my clothes and sat with a heat pack on my left knee.

This afternoon when I turned the TV on ready to watch the evening news, I had no free to air. It too me half an hour and a lot of figuring with the antenna to get it back.

Steps: 6,795

I slept well and was up at 4.50am it is going to be another hot day; Sue and I have appointments with the podiatrist.

When I got home, I did the laundry and hung it up to dry and by the time I was done I was in so much pain, I had to sit and do nothing for a while.

Tim found a box of stuffed toys that we sorted through and decided to toss some of them in the washing machine. Tim said he wanted to give some of the away.

This evening Tim moved my recliner from near the front door to near the dining room. I am in two minds about this as I like that now I recline it right back, but I don’t like that I can no longer see out the front door while in the recliner.

Steps:  7,832

I was up at 4.20am and found the kitchen a mess, so that was my first task of the day, no it was the second task as I had to sweep and vacuum first as the ground felt awful.

It will much cooler today with rain, we only had light showers during the day.

This morning I was so restless, I tried to have a nap twice the first time was a failure the second time I manage to sleep for 25-minutes.

Tim is working today, he is doing rail which for those who may not know is when the buses replace the trains due to either track work or an accident.

He has also bought another box trailer that needs some work, he is going to sell the one he already has.

Steps:7,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Behaviour of a Persian Blue Cat and some links

 

Here are this week’s links

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/09/a-spring-hodgepodge.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/09/getting-to-know-you-or-me-or-someone.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/09/sharing-my-world_0425302334.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/09/september-hodgepodge.html

Today I am looking at the Persian Blue cat, my daughter also has a Persian Blue named Molly along with Luca who is a Tuxedo.

They are usually calm, gentle, and affectionate cats. They are known for its beautiful blue-grey coat, quiet personality, and relaxed nature. Persian Blues often enjoy peaceful homes where they can feel safe, comfortable, and loved.

Persian Blue cats are generally quiet and well-mannered. They are not usually very noisy or demanding, although they may softly meow when they want attention, food, or comfort. They prefer calm environments and may become shy or unsettled around loud noises, busy rooms, or sudden changes.

These cats often form strong bonds with their owners. They may enjoy sitting nearby, resting on a favourite chair, or curling up beside someone they trust. While they can be affectionate, they are usually not as energetic or playful as some other breeds. Many Persian Blues prefer gentle play, short activity sessions, and plenty of rest.

These are their  personality traits

·       Calm: Persian Blue cats usually like a relaxed and predictable routine.

·       Affectionate: They often enjoy gentle attention from people they know well.

·       Quiet: They are not normally loud cats and may communicate softly.

·       Independent at times: They may enjoy company but also need quiet space to rest.

·       Sensitive: They can be affected by stress, noise, or sudden changes in the home.

Because Persian Blue cats are gentle and sensitive, they should be handled carefully. A calm voice, slow movements, and regular routines help them feel secure. They also need daily grooming because their long coat can become tangled. With patience, kindness, and a peaceful environment, a Persian Blue cat can become a loving and loyal companion.