Resp: Anatomy Flashcards
How is the nasal cavity divided?
By the medial nasal septum
What are the paranasal sinuses?
- 4 air containing cavities named for the skull bones within which they are situated.
- Lined by respiratory epithelium and open into spaces below the turbinates in the nasal cavity
What can be found the lateral wall of each nasal cavity?
3 bony projections known as turbinates
What do the vascular mucosa do?
- Lined large surface area presented by turbinates and paranasal sinuses
- Allow inhaled air to be warmed and humidified
How does turbulence caused by the turbinates affect airflow?
- Slows down airflow
- Increases the time available for warming and humidification. Air is heated to approximately room temperature
How is humidification achieved?
- Transudation of fluid through the epithelium
- By mucus secretion although lesser extent
How are nostril equipped to trap particles inhaled in air?
- Coarse hairs
- Mucus secretion by the goblet cells traps particles and are wafted by cilia to oropharynx where it is swallowed
What is the common passage for air and food?
-OROPHARYNX
What is the purpose of the larynx?
- Links the pharynx to the trachea
- Contains vocal chords which guard the entrance to the trachea
What is the glottis?
The vocal cords + aperture between the cords
What happens to the entrance to the trachea when swallowing?
- Laryngeal inlet becomes narrowed
- The epiglottis folds downwards over laryngeal inlet
- The vocal cords come together to act as a sphincter closing off the entrance to the trachea
Which muscles cause movement of the vocal cords?
Intrinsic laryngeal muscles
What nerve supplies the intrinsic laryngeal muscles ( except the cricothyroid muscle)?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
What can intra-thoracic disease lead to?
Compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve on the left side which can result in a hoarse voice due to paralysis of the left vocal cord
Why is the left side of the recurrent laryngeal nerve at risk?
It has a long course part of which is inside the thoracic cavity
Hooks under arch of aorta
If the larynx and vocal cords are dysfunctional, what can the effect of this be?
Trachea may not be properly closed off during swallowing hence there is a risk of inhalation of food/liquid.
What is the purpose of the cough reflex?
Protective mechanism to expel inhaled particles and also serves as a clearance mechanism for disposing of excessive secretions from the airways.