Chapter 13 - Airway Managment Flashcards
What are the major functions of the upper airway?
Warm, filter and humidify air as it enters the body through the nose and mouth
Where does the upper airway end?
The vocal chords
What are the three major components of the Pharynx?
Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx
What is a major risk of fractured sinus cavities?
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks from the nose and/or ears.
What is cerebrospinal rhinorrhea?
CSF leak from the nose
What is cerebrospinal otorrhea?
CSF leak from the ears
What are sinuses?
Cavities formed by the cranial bones.
What is the purpose of sinuses?
They prevent contaminants from entering the respiratory tract and act as tributaries for fluid to flow to and from the eustachian tubes and tear ducts.
What is the pharynx?
A muscular tube that extends from the nose and mouth to the level of the esophagus and trachea.
On normal inhalation, where does air enter the body?
Through the nose, and into the nasopharynx.
What is the purpose of the ciliated mucous membrane in the nasal cavity?
It keeps contaminants such as dust and other small particles out of the respiratory tract.
What is the risk of trauma to the nasal passage?
Profuse bleeding form the posterior nasal cavity, which cant be controlled by direct pressure.
What are the turbinates?
Three bony shelves that protrude from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. They serve to increase the surface area of mucosa.
What divides the nasopharynx into two separate passages?
The nasal septum, a rigid partition composed of bone and cartilage.
What is a deviated septum?
The nasal septum is not in the midline of the nose and has deviated to one side or the other. Important to consider with insertion of nasal airway.
Where is the oropharynx?
The posterior portion of the oral cavity.
What borders the oropharynx?
Superiorly- hard and soft palates
Laterally- the cheeks
Inferiorly- the tongue
How many adult teeth are there?
32
What are the risks of a fracture or avulsion of the teeth?
Potential obstruction of the upper airways, or causing aspiration of tooth fragments into the lungs.
What is the tongue attached to ?
The mandible and hyoid bone
What is the hyoid bone?
A small horseshoe shaped bone which the jaw, epiglottis and thyroid cartilage attach to.
What is the biggest risk of the tongue in an airway perspective?
Its tendency to fall back and occlude the posterior pharynx when the mandible relaxes.
What is the most common cause of an airway obstruction?
The tongue. Especially in patients with decreased levels of consciousness.
Where is the palate?
Forms the roof of the mouth and separates the oropharynx and nasopharynx.
What are adenoids?
A lymphatic tissue that filters bacteria, located on the posterior nasopharyngeal wall.
What are tonsils?
A lymphatic tissue located in the posterior pharynx, they help to trap bacteria.
What is a potential risk of severe tonsil swelling?
Obstruction of the upper airway.
What is the uvula?
A soft tissue structure located in the posterior aspect of the oral cavity, originating from the soft palate and hanging just above the base of the tongue. (Resembles a punching bag)
What is the epiglottis?
A leaf-shaped cartilaginous flap which prevents food and liquid from entering the larynx during swallowing.
What is the vallecula?
An anatomic space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis. This is an important landmark for tracheal intubation.
What is the larynx?
A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures. It marks where the upper airway ends and lower airway begins.
What is the thyroid cartilage?
Sometimes known as the Adams apple.
What is the cricoid cartilage?
It forms the lowest portion of the larynx. It is the first ring in the trachea, and the only complete ring in the upper airway.
What is the cricothyroid membrane?
Its between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, and a site for surgical and non surgical access to the airway.