L70: Respiratory Tract

Question 1

What are the two major components of the respiratory tract?

Answer 1

• Upper respiratory tract;

- Lower respiratory tract.

Question 2

What are the 5 components of the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 2

(NPMTPL)

• Nose;
• Paranasal sinuses;
• Mouth (inc. tonsils);
• Throat/ pharynx;
• Larynx.

Question 3

What does the external portion of the nose comprise of?

Answer 3

• Protuberance: Nostrils;
• Central, midline of the face;
• Skin, muscle, bone and hyaline cartilage;
• Lined by mucous membrane.

Question 4

What does the internal portion of the nose comprise of?

Answer 4

• Nasal cavity;
• Continuous with external portion and pharynx;
• Ducts from paranasal sinuses and nasolacrimal duct open here;
• Nasal septum- cartilage and bones.

Question 5

What covers the external portion of the nose?

Answer 5

Skin with hair (and keratin)

Question 6

What covers the respiratory segment of the nose?

Answer 6

Ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Question 7

What covers the olfactory segment of the nose?

Answer 7

Ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium (+ olfactory receptors)

Question 8

What are the functions of the nose?

Answer 8

• Warms and filters air;
• Sense of smell;
• Paranasal sinuses assist speech.

Question 9

What are paranasal sinuses?

Answer 9

Air-filled spaces within the bones of the skull and face: ethmoid, frontal, maxillary, sphenoid.

Question 10

What is the pharynx?

Answer 10

A muscular tube from the base of the skull to oesophagus (approx. C6)

Question 11

What are the three parts of the pharynx?

Answer 11

• Nasopharynx;
• Oropharynx;
• Laryngopharynx.

Question 12

What are the functions of the pharynx?

Answer 12

• Conducts air;

- Muscles direct food to the oesophagus;

Question 13

What are the 5 components of the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 13

(LTBLB)

• Larynx;
• Trachea;
• Bronchii;
• Lungs;
• Blood-air Barrier.

Question 14

What cervical region does the larynx span?

Answer 14

C3-6

Question 15

What are the functions of the larynx?

Answer 15

• Voicebox;
• Sound generated here;
• Acts as a sphincter.

Question 16

What is unique about the hyoid bone and what is it’s function?

Answer 16

It is a floating bone (@ C3) which serves as anchor for the tongue

Question 17

Which structures support the larynx and it’s vocal functions?

Answer 17

• 2 x arytenoid cartilage;
• 2 x corniculate tubercles;
• 2 x cuneiform tubercles;
• 1 x epiglottis flap.

Question 18

What is the epiglottis?

Answer 18

A flap of elastic cartilage in the throat that prevents food from entering wind pipe (larynx)

Question 19

What is the clinical significance of the cricothyroid cartilage?

Answer 19

Cricothyroidotomy: Incision made through cricothyroid membrane to obtain an airway

Question 20

What cervical region does the trachea begin?

Answer 20

C6

Question 21

What is the structure of the trachea?

Answer 21

15-20 incomplete cartilaginous rings (C-shaped), the trachea is 4-5 inches long

Question 22

What is the wall of the trachea composed of?

Answer 22

Fibrous tissue

Question 23

How is the open airway of the trachea maintained?

Answer 23

• Anterior cartilage;

- Posterior smooth muscle (trachealis).

Question 24

What epithelium is present in the bronchi?

Answer 24

Pseudo-stratified, ciliated, columnar (respiratory epithelium)

Question 25

Which is the larger bronchus?

Answer 25

Right (superior, inferior and middle lobe)

Left only has superior and inferior lobe

Question 26

What risk poses the right bronchus?

Answer 26

A foreign body is more likely to enter

Question 27

What is the purpose of the blood-air barrier?

Answer 27

• Prevents air bubbles from forming in the blood;

- Prevents blood entering the alveoli.