1.2 wbk URT anatomy Flashcards
what does the URT comprise of ?
- nose & paranasal sinuses
- pharynx
- larynx
Which part of the respiratory tract is termed the URT ?
the part above the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (which forms the lower border of the larynx)
3 respiratory functions of the URT ?
- conducting air from atmosphere to LRT
- conditioning of inspired air (warming, humidification, trapping of particles)
- protection of the airway during swallowing (larynx)
functions of URT that aren’t respiratory related ?
- swallowing (oropharynx & laryngopharynx)
- smell (olfactory epithelium in nose)
- speech (larynx)
How is the nasal cavity divided ?
into R & L cavities by the median nasal septum
Each nasal cavity extends from the nostril or …1… in front to the posterior …2… / …3…. , behind, through which the nasal cavity communicates with the …4… situated behind it.
- anterior nares
- nares
- choanae
- nasopharynx
What does the lateral wall of each nasal cavity contain ?
3 bony projections known as conchae or turbinates
(superior, middle & inferior)
What i pace below each turbinate known as ?
meatus (superior, middle, inferior)
What opens into the meatus ?
paranasal sinuses and the naso-lacrimal duct which drains tears from the eye
the floor of the nasal cavity forms what ?
the roof of the mouth, which is the hard & soft palates
- how many paranasal sinuses exist ?
- how are they named ?
- what are the names ?
- 4
- for the skull bones within which they are situated
- frontal, ethmoidal, maxillary , spehnoidal
paranasal sinuses are ..1.. cavities in the skull that open into the …2… and are lined by ..3…
- air-containing
- nasal cavity
- respiratory epithelium
What role do the turbinates play in the nose?
increase the surface area for warming and humidification,
cause turbulence, and slow down airflow to increase the time available for these changes to occur.
How do the paranasal sinuses contribute to the function of the nose?
warming and humidification of inhaled air
What is the function of the coarse hairs lining the nostrils?
trap large particles in inhaled air
How is humidification of the air achieved in the nasal passage?
by transudation of fluid through the epithelium and to a lesser extent by mucus secretion
What role do goblet cells play in the nasal passage?
secrete mucus that traps almost all particles greater than 5 micrometres
What happens to the mucus and trapped particles in the nasal passage?
cilia waft the mucus to the oropharynx where it is swallowed
Why is nose breathing preferred over mouth breathing?
the nose always remains open, unlike the mouth, and it prevents the lower air passages from drying out and becoming more vulnerable to infection
What can happen to the lower air passages if nose breathing is impossible?
the lower air passages can dry out and become more vulnerable to infection