Anatomy, physiology and diseases of the throat. Flashcards
Name what makes up the anterior triangle of the neck.
Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Midline
Border of mandible
Name what makes up the posterior triangle of the neck.
Trapezius
Clavicle
Sternocleidomastoid muscle
The facial, vagus, glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves are found at the _______ triangle of the neck.
anterior.
Why is the neck divided into levels?
To be used as a surgical tool (aka. for surgery)
What structure prevents us inhaling what we eat?
The epiglottis :)
What is the structure that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth called?
the lingual frenulum
What is the superior/inferior labial frenulum?
Connects the upper lip with top of mouth
Connects the bottom lip to the top of mouth.
Name the 3 parts of the pharynx.
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Laryngopharynx
The velum and uvula make up the _________.
soft palate.
Name the 3 unpaired cartilages of the larynx.
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
Name the 3 paired cartilages of the larynx.
Arytenoid
Cunieform
Corticular
What are the false vocal cords known as and where are they located?
Vestibular folds, located above the vocal cords.
What does the larynx protect?
The respiratory tract.
What are the vocal folds covered in and why?
They are covered in mucous which allows phonation.
The vocal folds are a _______ object.
dynamic
What can a poorly functioning larynx result in?
Things (food) getting stuck there.
What are the laryngeal muscles used for?
Pitch
Coughing
Speaking (phonation)
Respiratory Function
What can a serious ear infection affect?
It can affect the cranial nerves which in turn affects speech and swallowing.
Name the nerve responsible for mastication and sensation to the face.
The trigeminal nerve (5)
Name the nerve responsible for muscles of facial expression and taste.
The Facial Nerve (7)
Name the nerve that loops around the aorta, branches to the larynx and is important for speech.
The Vagus Nerve (10)
Name the nerve that is responsible for tongue movement.
The Hypoglossal Nerve (11)
Name the nerve that is responsible for the gag reflex.
The glossopharyngeal nerve (9).
Name the 3 stages of swallowing.
- Oral
- Pharyngeal
- Oesophageal
The oral stage is _______.
Voluntary.
The _______ stage is partly voluntary.
Pharyngeal stage.
What stage of swallowing is involuntary and relies on smooth muscle?
Oesophageal Stage
What can be used to asses swallowing?
an endoscopy.
Normal or Abnormal?
Pink, moist lips
normal
Normal or Abnormal?
Tongue midline, adequate movement
normal
If a lesion is found this is considered to be ___________.
Abnormal
Describe abnormal findings of the lips.
cracked and dry.
If there is vesicles of blisters present is the normal or abnormal?
Abnormal.
Describe the normal findings of the tongue, gums and buccal mucosa.
Pink moist and smooth.
What in terms of bleeding would be a normal finding?
No bleeding.
What should normal teeth be?
Smooth and white with no dental caries.
What should we expect when the patient says “ahh”?
The soft palate and uvula to rise.
Apart from the tongue, what else should be midline?
The uvula.
In the buccal cavity, there should be no _____ or _________.
swelling, exudate.
Generally what reflex should be present?
The gag reflex but not everybody has one.
What is hot potato voice?
A big bag of puss/swelling that moves from the midline.
Describe abnormal findings in terms of tongue, gums and buccal mucosa.
red, tender and inflamed.
What is a common abnormal finding?
Thrush.
Thrush, poor oral hygiene or smoking can cause what?
A coating on the tongue.
Abnormal or Normal?
bleeding gums.
Abnormal.
What would be an abnormal finding regarding the posterior pharynx?
Posterior pharynx is red with white patches.
In an abnormal finding what would the tonsils and uvula present as?
Red and Swollen.
___________ _______________ suggests the vocal folds aren’t coming together properly therefore this could indicate a ______.
Hoarse Voice
Tumour
An abnormal finding would be a ______ membrane covering the tonsils, uvula and soft palate. What does this along with swollen lymphnodes indicate?
Grayish.
Glandular Fever.
What 3 uses must we asses in a physiology assessment?
Alcohol use
Tobacco use
Drug use
We must asses the patients _____ practices, ________ or _________ environment and ______.
sexual, home, work, hobbies.
What can be another factor to take into account when assessing a patient?
stress.
Is snoring a disease?
Yes.
What is snoring caused by?
Relaxation of the upper airway (soft palate and uvula) causing these structures to vibrate.
Distorted nasal anatomy can also cause ___________.
snoring.
What does snoring limit?
oxygenation in sleep.
What can snoring lead to?
Heart strain and respiratory problems.
Name one impact of snoring.
Sleep Apnea
Name 3 other causes (apart from distorted nasal anatomy) that can lead to snoring.
Drunk
Drugs
Obesity.
In kids describe how adenoids can cause snoring.
Large Adenoids can block the airways.
These can be removed to help quality of sleep.
Name some treatments to combat snoring.
Lose Weight
Special Pillows
Sleeping positions
C pap machines (forces air in while sleeping).
What is inflammation of the larynx known as?
Laryngitis.
Apart from the inflammation of the larynx, what is another indicator of laryngitis?
excrevates on the surface.
Name the 3 causes of laryngitis.
Chemical (bad diet, smoking)
Infection (inflammation)
Mechanical (result of surgery)
What are the treatments for laryngitis?
Voice rest
Paracetemol/ ibuprofen.
What is tonsillitis?
The inflammation of the tonsils.
What is tonsillitis normally caused by?
A viral cause- usually glandular fever based
Or most commonly a bacterial cause.
Name some indicators of tonsillitis.
Tonsils are red, big and there are white bits on it.
Bags of puss in the sheath of the tonsils cause ____________ and can _________ the _____________.
inflammation
obstruct, airways
What is the difference between tonsiitis and pharyngitis?
Tonsillitis- inflammation of the tonsils
Pharyngitis- inflammation of the pharynx (back of throat)
What are the treatments for tonsillitis?
Antibiotics
Tonsils surgically removed- there are strict guidelines for this!
What is the inflammation of the epiglottis known as?
epiglottitis.
What is epiglottitis caused by?
Infection.
What’s a sign a patient has epiglottitis?
- They look toxic/rough
- They sit with their arms behind them (tripod), struggling to breathe.
______ injuries can also lead to infection.
Thermal.
Name a common oral infection.
Thrush.
Antibiotics and antifungal medication is used to treat ________.
Thrush.
What can cause thrush?
- Use of inhalers can cause steroid thrush.
- Old age
- Susceptible immune system
What is leukoplakia?
A painless white patch that can develop in the mouth- although harmless, it can possibly lead to cancer.
How is leukoplakia treated?
It is surgically removed.
What can leukoplakia be a result of?
Smoking
leukoplakia is a ____________ condition.
benign.
Name a malignant condition.
Head and Neck Cancers.
What is used to decide how to treat the cancer?
A biopsy.
Name 3 causes of malignant head and neck cancer.
Smoking
HPV
Drinking
What are lymphnodes?
Glands found in the neck. (and other places)
______ having grown is a sign of head and neck cancer.
Lymphnodes.
Name 5 signs of malignant head and neck cancer.
Hoarseness Weight Loss Visible Lumps Dysphagia Pain radiating from ear.
A malignant tumour means that is can ______ and is ________.
Spread, harmful.
How can head/neck cancer be treated?
- Normally tumour can be removed
- Chemo/Radiotherapy
Name to other conditions affecting the neck area.
Trauma to the neck
Fractures to Cartilages
What is it called when the patient still has their larynx, however a hole is created in the neck to create a bypass for the air to get into the trachea?
A tracheostomy
What is a laryngectomy?
When the patient’s larynx is completely removed and a hole in the neck is created where the trachea is run to .
A ________ helps you to breathe.
Tracheostomy.
_________ is the removal of the larynx and separation of the airway from the mouth, nose and esophagus.
Laryngectomy.
_______ patients don’t use their ______ or ______ to breathe.
Laryngectomy
Nose
Mouth
Why is SALT involved with a tracheostomy?
As some air will bypass the vocal folds- we need to help with phonation.
When is a tracheostomy used for patients?
For patients with severe wounds, trauma or severe stroke.
A ________ secures the airway.
Tracheostomy
In what surgery is the entire larynx (along with vocal folds) removed?
Laryngectomy.
What treats advanced laryngeal cancer?
Laryngectomy.
Name 2 types of non surgical voice restoration used by laryngectomy patients.
Esophageal Speech (burp- use stomach to phonate) Electrolaryngeal Speech (robot voice)
Name 2 types of surgical voice restoration.
Neoglottic Reconstruction Speech Valve (Shunts- tracheoesophagal speech)
How does a speech valve work?
You cover it for phonation.
Name 3 speech valve problems.
It can get dirty/infected
It can bleed
It can be dislodged.
