Lecture 35 - Upper Respiratory Tract

Question 1

Understand the organization of the upper respiratory tract into nasal and oral cavities, the larynx and the pharynx

Answer 1

These structures collectively facilitate the initial processes of breathing, including air filtration, humidification, and warming, as well as serving as a passageway for air and food. The larynx has the additional function of voice production and protecting the lower respiratory tract from foreign materials

Question 2

Nasal septum

Answer 2

 Divides nasal cavity into left and right sides
 Provides structural support and helps separate airflow into two parallel stream, allowing for more efficient air passage and distribution.

Question 2

Nasal conchae (turbinates)

Answer 2

 Bone structures that are covered with mucous membrane that protrude into nasal cavity.
 There are three pairs: superior, inferior and middle
 They function to increase SA, create turbulence (enhances process of air warming and humifying) and nasal resonance

Question 3

mucus membrane

Answer 3

 Lines entire nasal cavity and contains specialised cells i.e. goblet cells
 Secretes mucus and lined with cilia which help traps particles

Question 4

blood vessels

Answer 4

 Nasal cavity is richly supplied with blood vessels
 Function to help regulate temperature of incoming air

Question 5

olfactory epithelium

Answer 5

 Located in superior part of nasal cavity and contains specialised cells for sense of smell
 Responsible for detecting and identifying various odours in the air

Question 6

paranasal sinuses

Answer 6

Function to lighten the skull, enhance voice resonance and produce mucus that drains into the nasal cavity

Question 7

Explain the key features and clinical problems related to the paranasal sinuses

Answer 7

o Four groups of paranasal sinuses
 Ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid, maxillary
o sinusitis = inflammation
o Sinus polyps = noncancerous growths that can develop in the sinuses and nasal passages which can obstruct airflow

Question 8

List the main features of the oral cavity, including the tongue and teeth

Answer 8

lips and cheek
soft palate
hard palate
teeth
tongue
salivary glands
uvula
tonsils

Question 9

hard palate

Answer 9

Bony front portion of roof of mouth

Question 10

soft palate

Answer 10

Muscular, flexible part behind hard palate

Question 11

tongue

Answer 11

 Muscular organ located on floor of oral cavity
 Covered with papilla which contain taste buds

Question 12

teeth

Answer 12

 Incisors, canines, premolars and molar (+wisdom)
 Usually 32 teeth in adult

Question 13

salivary glands

Answer 13

Contain enzymes that help begin processes of food breakdown

Question 14

uvula

Answer 14

 Small, fleshy, conical structure that hangs from soft palate
 Thought to play. Role in speech and swallowing

Question 15

tonsils

Answer 15

Lymphoid tissues located in lateral walls of oral cavity and part of immune system

Question 16

Describe the organization and main features of the larynx

Answer 16

o Cartilages = larynx has multiple i.e. thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, arytenoid cartilages and epiglottis
o Vocal cords = two pairs true (vocal folds) and false (vestibular folds)
o Glottis = opening between vocal cords

Question 17

explain the function of the vocal ligament in breathing and phonation

Answer 17

o breathing
o phonation (sound production)
o vocal ligaments need to be adducted for phonation and abducted for breathing

Question 18

nasopharynx

Answer 18

o Located in uppermost part of pharynx, behind nasal cavity and above soft palate
o Contains adenoids (tonsils) and opening of the eustachian tubes (help equalize air pressure in middle ear and drain fluids from the ear)

Question 19

oropharynx

Answer 19

o Located behind oral cavity and extends from soft palate to upper part of epiglottis
o Contains palatine tonsils, lingual tonsil, palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches, opening of the eustachian tubes.

Question 20

laryngopharynx

Answer 20

o Located at lowest part of pharynx, extending from the upper border of epiglottis to the oesophagus and larynx
o Contains epiglottis

Question 21

functions of pharaynx

Answer 21

Swallowing, respiration and sounds production