Airway Management Flashcards
chapter 11
airway
the upper airway or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat
nasopharynx
the part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth
oropharynx
a tubular structure that forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity, which is bordered superiorly by the hard and soft palates, laterally by the cheeks, and inferiorly by the tongue
aspiration
in the context of the airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs
larynx
a complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins; also called the voice box
glottis
the space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; also called the glottic opening
vocal cords
thin white bands of tough muscular tissue that are lateral borders of the glottis and serve as the primary center for speech production
carina
point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right main stem bronchi
visceral pleura
thin membrane that covers the lungs
parietal pleura
thin membrane that lines the chest cavity
bronchioles
subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli
mediastinum
space within the chest that contains the ♡, major blood vessels, vagus nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between the two lungs
phrenic nerves
the two nerves that innervate (supplies nerve to) the diaphragm
inhalation
the active, muscular part of breathing that draws air
partial pressure
the term used to describe the amount of gas in air or dissolved in fluid, such as blood
tidal volume
the amount of air (in mL) that is moved into or out of the lungs during one breath
residual volume
the air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration
alveolar ventilation
the volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate
minute volume
the volume of air that moves into and out of the lungs per minute; calculated by multiplying the tidal volume and respiratory rate; also called minute ventilation
alveolar minute volume
the volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate
vital capacity
the amount of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs after breathing in as deeply as possible
dead space
any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi
exhalation
the passive part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs
patent
open, clear of obstruction
hypoxia
deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues
hypoxic drive
a “backup system” to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood
metabolism
the biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells; also called cellular respiration
external respiration
the exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries; also called pulmonary respiration
surfactant
a liquid protein substance that coats the alveoli in the lungs, decreases alveolar surface tension, and keeps the alveoli expanded; a low level in a premature infant contributes to respiratory distress syndrome
internal respiration
the exchange of gases between the blood cells and the tissues
aerobic metabolism
metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen
anaerobic metabolism
the metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid
chemoreceptors
monitor the levels of oxygen, CO2, and pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time
hypercarbia
increased carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream
intrapulmonary shunting
bypassing of oxygen poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart
hemothorax
a collection of blood int he pleural cavity
pneumothorax
an accumilation of air or gas in the pleural cavity
tension pneumothorax
an accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest and that interferes with cardiac function, with potentially fatal results