Anatomy of Airway

Question 1

What is the nasal cavity divided into?

Answer 1

1. Vestibule
2. Olfactory
3. Respiratory

Question 2

What is kiesselbach/little’s areas?

Answer 2

• Site of epistaxis
• Anastomose of blood vessels
• Little’s areas nosebleeds more common in children

Question 3

What is the use of cocaine paste?

Answer 3

Reduce blood flow - prevent bleeding

Question 4

What are the 4 sets of sinuses?

Answer 4

• Sphenoid
• Ethmoid
• Frontal
• Maxillary

Question 5

What are the palatoglossal arches?

Answer 5

• Boundery between oral cavity + pharynx

- Contain muscles which elevate back of tongue

Question 6

What is the significance of laryngeal outlet/ valleculae?

Answer 6

• Gap where you put laryngoscope to move epiglottis up so you can see larynx
• Piriform fossa on either side

Question 7

What are the muscles of the pharynx?

Answer 7

• Inner longitudinal = elevators
• Outer circular = constrictors
• Killian’s triangle = region of weakness = potential place for herniation of mucosa

Question 8

Describe the anatomical relation of pharynx

Answer 8

• Anterior = retropharyngeal space - can fill with puss = infections
• Laterally = carotid sheath = common carotid, internal jugular, vagus

Question 9

What is the function of auditory tube?

Answer 9

• Allows air to pass into middle ear to equalise pressure on either side of tympanic membrane
• Permits mucous drainage out of middle ear

Question 10

What are the palantine tonsils?

Answer 10

• Part of tonsillar ring which also contains nasopharyngeal (adenoid) + lingual tonsil
• Large tonsils
• Commonly infected in childhood
• Get smaller with age

Question 11

What are the laryngeal cartilages?

Answer 11

1. Thyroid
2. Cricoid - cricothyroid membrane = emergency access = cricothyroidotomy
3. Epiglottic
4. Corniculate + cuneiform

Question 12

What are the 3 major regions of laryngeal cavity?

Answer 12

1. Vestibule
2. Middle chamber
3. Infraglottic space

Question 13

What are the intrinsic muscles of larynx?

Answer 13

1. Interarytenoid = adducts vocal folds
2. Lateral cricoarytenoid = adducts vocal folds
3. Posterior cricoarytenois = abducts vocal folds
4. Cricothryoid = tenses vocal folds

Question 14

What is the motor innervation of the intrinsic muscles of larynx?

Answer 14

ALL = recurrent laryngeal nerve EXCEPT circothyroid = external laryngeal