ch 2 vocab Flashcards
adenoid
The pharyngeal tonsil.
airway
The conduit through which all air flows between the external environment and the functional level of gas exchange in the lungs.
airway, lower
The portion of the airway below the glottic opening.
airway, upper
The portion of the airway above the glottic opening.
alveoli
Single-layered air sacs that are the functional site of the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
arytenoids
Cartilaginous structures that articulate with the corniculate and cuneiform and make up the posterior attachment of the vocal cords.
atelectasis
A condition of airless or collapsed alveoli that causes pulmonary shunting, ventilation-perfusion mismatching, and possibly hypoxemia.
bronchi
The main branches of the airway that conduct air to and from each lung.
bronchioles
Small airways made of smooth muscle that lead to the alveoli.
carina
The point where the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi.
cricoid cartilage
The signet ring-shaped cartilaginous structure between the thyroid cartilage and the trachea.
bronchoconstriction
Constriction of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles, resulting in decreased airway diameter.
cricothyroid membrane
The thin membrane between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage.
epiglottis
The leaf-shaped flap located between the base of the tongue and the glottic opening, which prevents food and liquid from entering the lower airway.
glossoepiglottic ligament
The ligament between the tongue and the epiglottis.
glottis
The opening into the airway between the vocal cords, also known as the glottic opening.
hyoid bone
The small horseshoe-shaped bone to which major upper airway structures are attached.
hypoepiglottic ligament
The ligament between the hyoid bone and the epiglottis.
hypopharynx
The inferior-most region of the pharynx located behind the larynx, also known as the laryngopharynx.
laryngeal prominence
The Adam’s apple, formed by the thyroid cartilage.
laryngopharynx
The inferior-most region of the pharynx located behind the larynx, also known as the hypopharynx.
laryngospasm
Spasmodic closure of the vocal cords.
larynx
A complex structure formed by the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, the cricoid cartilage, the arytenoid cartilage, the corniculate cartilage, and the cuneiform cartilage.
lingual tonsils
Paired tonsils located at the base of the tongue.
nares/nostrils/nasopharynx
The superior-most portion of the pharynx, located behind the nasal passages.
oral cavity
The mouth.
oropharynx
The region of the pharynx located behind the oral cavity.
palate
The roof of the mouth.
palate, hard
The anterior three-fourths of the roof of the mouth, formed by the maxilla and the palatine bones.
palate, soft
The posterior one-quarter of the palate that is composed of soft tissue.
palatine tonsils
Paired lymphatic tissues that lie on the lateral walls of the palatoglossal arch, and anterior to the palatopharyngeal arch.
palatoglossal arch
The posterior border of the oral cavity.
palatopharyngeal arch
The entrance from the oral cavity into the pharynx.
paranasal sinuses
The frontal and maxillary sinuses.
pharyngeal tonsil
Single tonsil located on the posterior nasopharygeal wall, which is also known as the adenoid.
pharynx
The throat.
pyriform fossae
Hollow pockets on the lateral sides of the glottic opening.
submental triangle
The block of tissue under the jaw.
surfactant
The proteinaceous substance that lines the inside of the alveoli and allows for easy expansion and recoil of the alveoli.
thyroepiglottic ligament
The attachment of the thyroid cartilage to the epiglottis.
thyroid cartilage
The shield-shaped cartilaginous structure that forms the laryngeal border.
uvula
The piece of soft tissue that extends into the palatoglossal arch.
vallecula
The anatomic space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis.
Valsalva maneuver
Straining against a closed glottis.
vocal cords
The fibrous bands of tissue that vibrate to create speech.
