Anatomy of Respiratory System

Question 1

What is a patent airway?

Answer 1

An open airway.

Question 2

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Answer 2

It brings in O₂ and eliminates CO₂ in the body.

Question 3

Name the airway structures of the upper airway.

Answer 3

• Nasopharynx
• Pharynx
• Oropharynx
• Mouth
• Epiglottis, and
• Larynx

Question 4

What are the roles of the turbinates in the upper airway?

Answer 4

• Warms
• Filter
• Humidify

Question 5

Fill in the blank.

The sinuses are responsible for ______ contaminants from entering the respiratory tract.

Answer 5

preventing

Question 6

How many teeth does a typical adult have?

Answer 6

32

Question 7

What parts is the hyoid bone attached to?

Answer 7

• Mandible
• Tongue
• Epiglottis
• Thyroid cartilage

Question 8

What is the most important anatomic consideration regarding airway management?

Answer 8

tongue

It often falls back and occludes the posterior pharynx when the mandible is relaxed.

Question 9

Name the four paranasal sinuses.

Answer 9

1. Maxillary
2. Frontal
3. Ethmoid
4. Sphenoid

Question 10

What are the significance of the larynx?

Answer 10

Where:

• upper airway ends
• lower airway begins

Question 11

Define:

glottis

Answer 11

Narrowest portion of the adult airway called the “glottic opening”.

Question 12

What anatomical structure are you manipulating to displace the tongue and epiglottis?

Manipulating the airway during a Head Tilt Chin Lift.

Answer 12

Hyoid bone

Question 13

What is the “pocket” between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis.

Answer 13

vallecula

Question 14

What are arytenoid cartilages?

Answer 14

Small bumps inferior to the epiglottis.

Important guides for ET intubation.

Question 15

Define:

laryngospasm

Answer 15

Spasm of the vocal cords that seals off the airway.

Question 16

Define:

trachea

Answer 16

The main pipe for air entry into the lungs.

Otherwise known as the “windpipe”.

Question 17

Fill in the blank.

The trachea divides into the right and left main stem _______, which is level with the ______.

Answer 17

bronchi, carina

Question 18

Which bronchus is straighter and shorter, making it more prone to ET tube advancement?

Answer 18

right mainstem

Question 19

What is the location and function of the cilia?

Answer 19

• Hair-like structures in the trachea and main stem bronchi.
• It moves back and forth to sweep material from the airway.

Think of cilia like seaweed in the ocean that sways back and forth with the waves.

Question 20

Define:

hilum

Answer 20

This is where the bronchi and blood vessels enter to connect to their supporting structures.

Question 21

Define:

visceral pleura

Answer 21

Thin outer membrane that encapsulates the lungs.

Question 22

How many lobes do the right and left lungs have?

Answer 22

• right: 3
• left: 2

Question 23

Define:

parietal pleura

Answer 23

Thin membrane that lines the inside of the thoracic cavity.

Question 24

List the subdivisions of the lower airway in order.

Answer 24

1. Trachea
2. Bronchus
3. Bronchioles
4. Alveolar ducts
5. Alveolar sacs

Question 25

What are alveolar sacs responsible for?

Answer 25

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Question 26

How do alveoli exchange gas?

Answer 26

Diffusion between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries.

Question 27

Define:

surfactant

Answer 27

A phospholipid compound found the in the alveoli sacs.

Decreases surface tension and keeps alveoli expanded.

Question 28

Define:

atelectasis

Answer 28

When alveoli collapse.

Due to decreased surfactant and alveoli cannot stay open.

Question 29

Define:

goblet cells

Answer 29

Mucous producing cells found in the trachea and bronchi.

They secrete a sticky substance that traps contaminants in the lower airway.