Anatomy of the upper respiratory tract Flashcards
Which sinuses make up the paranasal sinuses?
- Frontal
- Ethmoid
- Maxillary
- Sphenoid
Which cells line the paranasal sinuses?
respiratory epithelium - pseudostratified columnar with cilia
What are the functions of the paranasal sinuses?
- Reduce weight of facial skeleton
- Warm and humidify inspired air
- Adding resonance to the voice
- Drain mucus secretions into the nasal cavities
How can the paranasal sinuses be drained?
Sneezing, blowing the nose, gravity
What are the three parts of the pharynx?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
Which structure is found at the most posterior point of the tongue?
The epiglottis
What is the epiglottis made of?
Elastic cartilage making it rather springy
What are the defining points of the nasopharynx?
Begins when the nasal septum ends
Ends where the soft palate ends
What structure can be found in the side wall of the nasopharynx?
The opening of the auditory tube
What is the auditory tube made of?
Cartilage towards the mouth and bone towards the ear
What surrounds the auditory tube?
The tubal elevation, containing lymphoid tissue called the tubal tonsil
What structure is adjacent to the opening of the auditory tube?
The pharyngeal recess, or fossa of reosenmuller
What is the pharyngeal recess or fossa of rosenmuller?
A deep recess that almost reaches the internal carotid artery at the base of the skull
What lymphoid tissue is found at the back of the nasopharynx?
The pharyngeal tonsil or adenoids
What is the palatoglossal fold?
A fold in the mucosa where the palatoglossal muscle is found
Where is the palatoglossal fold found?
At the back of the oral cavity. Marks the point where the oropharynx begins
What additional fold is found near the palatoglossal fold?
The palatopharyngeal fold
What is the palatopharyngeal fold?
A fold at the edge of the soft palate where the palatopharyngeal muscle sits
What is the main action of the palatopharyngeal muscle?
Pulls on the soft palate to the area where the nasopharynx becomes the oropharynx to help stop drinks entering the nasal cavity when you swallow
Where is the palatine tonsil found?
Between the palatoglossal fold and the palatopharyngeal fold
Where is the lingual tonsil found?
Under the posterior 2/3 of the tongue
What signifies the end of the oropharynx and the start of the laryngopharynx?
The tip of the epiglottis
What is the vallecula fossa?
A pit between the posterior tongue and epiglottis
Fish bones can get caught here
What is the piriform fossa?
A shallow recess found at the laryngopharynx near the inlet to the larynx
Pear shaped
Common for fish bones to be caught in this area
What is the name given to the collective tonsils?
Waldeyer’s ring
What tonsils are found in waldeyer’s ring?
1 pharyngeal tonsil
2 tubal tonsils
2 palatine tonsils
1 lingual tonsils
What is the norma lateralis of the skull?
The lateral wall of the skull
What bones are found in the norma lateralis of the skull?
Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal Sphenoid Zygomatic Mandible Maxilla Nasal