Anatomy of Airway

Question 1

Components of Upper Airway

Answer 1

pharynx, nose, mouth, larynx, trachea, mainstem bronchi

Question 2

Role of upper airway

Answer 2

warms &humidifies air, filters particles, prevents aspiration

Question 3

Epiglottis Prevents:

Answer 3

aspiration by covering glottis during swallowing

Question 4

The Larynx is composed of how many cartilages?

Answer 4

9

Question 5

Unpaired cartilages

Answer 5

Thyroid, cricoid, epiglottis

Question 6

Paired

Answer 6

Arytenoids, corniculates, cuneiforms

Question 7

Thyroid cartilage shields what?

Answer 7

Conus Elasticus

which forms vocal cords

Question 8

Trigeminal Nerve

Answer 8

V; provides sensation to anterior 2/3 of tongue

Question 9

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (4 roles)

Answer 9

IX; provides sensation to posterior 1/3 of tongue, roof of pharynx, tonsils and undersurface of soft palate

Question 10

Vagus Nerve

Answer 10

X; provides sensation to the airway below the epiglottis

Question 11

What are the two branches of the vagus nerve?

Answer 11

Superior laryngeal & Recurrent laryngeal

Question 12

Superior Laryngeal Nerve

Answer 12

External: motor
Internal: sensory; between epiglottis and vocal cords

Question 13

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve

Answer 13

Innervates the larynx below the vocal cords and the trachea

Question 14

Adjusts length (tension) of the vocal ligaments

Answer 14

cricothyroid, vocalis, thyroarytenoid

Question 15

Cricothyroid (muscular contraction/innervation)

Answer 15

elongates (tenses), SLN (external)

Question 16

Vocalis (muscular contraction/innervation)

Answer 16

Shortens (relaxes) RLN

Question 17

Thyroarytenoid

Answer 17

Shortens (relaxes) RLN

Question 18

ABducts or ADDucts Vocal Folds

Answer 18

Thyroarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid

Question 19

Thyroarytenoid (muscular contraction/innervation)

Answer 19

ADDucts vocal folds (narrows glottis); RLN

Question 20

Lateral Cricoarytenoid (muscular contraction/innervation)

Answer 20

ADDucts vocal folds (narrows glottis); RLN

Question 21

Posterior Cricoarytenoid

Answer 21

ABducts vocal folds (widens glottis); RLN

Question 22

Sphincter Function

Answer 22

Aryepiglottic, interarytenoid

Question 23

Aryepiglottic

Answer 23

Closes laryngeal vestibule; RLN

Question 24

Interarytenoid

Answer 24

Closes posterior commissure of glottis; RLN

Question 25

Muscles that tense and relax vocal cords (2)

Answer 25

CricoThyroid (cords tense)

ThyroaRytenoid (they relax)

Question 26

Muscles that ABduct and ADDuct vocal cords

Answer 26

Posterior CricoArytenoid: Please Come Apart

Lateral CricoArytenoid: Let Close Airway

Question 27

Effects of Damaged External Branch of SLN

Answer 27

may paralyze the cricothyroid muscle

impacts vocal cords ability to tense: raspy voice

Question 28

Unilateral RLN Damage

Answer 28

Hoarseness and paralyzed cord in intermediate position

Most common injury after subtotal thyroidectomy

Question 29

Bilateral RLN Damage

Answer 29

paralyzed cords and aphonia
assume intermediate position
cords can flap together causing obstruction during inspiration
immediate intubation

Question 30

Trachea

Answer 30

begins with cricoid cartilage and extends to carina
ETT should be 5-7cm above carina
anterior: cartilaginous rings posterior: membranous

Question 31

ETT is more likely to be advanced into right or left bronchus?

Answer 31

Right