practical 1: Upper respiratory tract section 1

Question 1

Explain the term “conditioning”. Why is it necessary? What is the benefit of filtering inspired air?

Answer 1

The nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx are involved in Warming, humidifying, filtering inspired air
To prepare it for the lungs, help prevent infection, protect the delicate lung parenchyma

Question 2

Feel the external portion of your own nose. What tissue(s) do you think it is composed of?

Answer 2

Cartilage

Question 3

What structures form the anterior, posterior border, roof and floor of the cavity

Answer 3

The external nose forms the anterior border.
The posterior border is the boundary between the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx.
Roof – cribriform plate of ethmoid bone
Floor – hard palate

Question 4

What is the function of the conchae?

Answer 4

Create turbulence in the inspired air

Question 5

How is the membrane that lines the nasal cavity adapted for its role in conditioning and filtering inspired air?

Answer 5

Moist membrane

Columnar ciliated respiratory epithelium. Look up nasoepithelium for olfactory function.

Question 6

Give two other functions of the nasal cavity (think about what happens when your nose is “bunged up” during a cold).

Answer 6

Smell

Clear excess tears

Question 7

What are nasal polyps?

Answer 7

Overgrowths of nasal mucosa

Question 8

what are the four paranasal sinuses?

Answer 8

frontal
sphenoidal sinuses
Ethmoidal sinuses- ethmoid bone between nose and eyes.
Maxillary sinuses – maxillary bone superior to eyes.

Question 9

Into which meatuses do the paranasal sinuses drain

Answer 9

Superior and middle

Question 10

Suggest three possible functions of these air-filled spaces

Answer 10

Reduce weight of the skull
Allow the voice to resonate
Produce mucus

Question 11

Which of the paranasal sinuses is most prone to infection in adults? Why? What is this condition called and why does infection in this sinus commonly give rise to toothache?

Answer 11

Maxillary; due to the poor communication with the nasal cavity
Sinusitis - The roots of the teeth are located on the floor of the maxillary sinus, separated only by a thin membrane. Infection of the sinus can irritate the roots leading to toothaches

Question 12

What does the nasolacrimal duct do? What happens if this duct is blocked?

Answer 12

Drain excess tears from the lacrimal gland

Tears spill over the eyelid and eyes stream