Chapter 2 Vocabulary: Clinical Airway Anatomy Flashcards
Adenoid
The pharyngeal toncil
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
Bronchoconstriction
Constriction of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles, resulting in decreased airway diameter
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
Cricothyroid Membrane
The thin membrane between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage
Epiglottis
The leaf-shapped 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 horeshoe-shapped 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 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 platoglossal 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 nasopharyngeal 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
