Respiratory System 3: Upper Airways Flashcards
1
Q
What are the two main parts of the ‘nose’?
A
The external nose and the nasal cavity.
2
Q
What is the external nose primarily composed of?
A
Cartilage with contributions from the nasal bones.
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Q
What are the openings of the external nose called?
A
Nostrils (nares or anterior nasal apertures).
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Q
What separates the nostrils?
A
The septal nasal cartilage.
5
Q
What structures bound the nares laterally?
A
The alae (wings) of the nose.
6
Q
What is the function of nostril hair?
A
To filter dust particles.
7
Q
What bones contribute to the structure of the external nose?
A
Nasal bones
Frontal process of the maxillary bone
8
Q
What are the main cartilages of the external nose?
A
Septal nasal cartilage
Alar cartilage
Lateral processes of the septal nasal cartilage
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A
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A
11
Q
What is the visible portion of the external nose called?
A
The root, dorsum, apex, and alae.
12
Q
What separates the two chambers of the nasal cavity?
A
A nasal septum.
13
Q
What are the three regions of the nasal cavity?
A
Nasal vestibule
Respiratory region
Olfactory region
14
Q
what is a Nasal vestibule lined by?
A
Lined by stratified squamous epithelium.
15
Q
what is the respiratory region lined by?
A
Lined by respiratory epithelium (ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium)
16
Q
what is the olfactory region lined by?
A
Lined by olfactory epithelium (pseudostratified columnar epithelium)
17
Q
What is the posterior nasal aperture called?
A
The choana.
18
Q
Where is the olfactory epithelium located in the nasal cavity?
A
In the upper 1/3 of the nasal cavity.
19
Q
where is the respiratory region located in the nasal cavity?
A
lower 2/3 of the nasal cavity
20
Q
What is the nasal mucosa, and where is it located?
A
The nasal mucosa (pink layer) is firmly bound to the periosteum and perichondrium of the supporting bones and cartilages of the nose.
21
Q
What happens to air as it passes through the nasal cavity?
A
It is warmed and moistened before continuing through the respiratory tract.
22
Q
What is the role of mucus and serous glands in the nasal cavity?
A
They humidify the inhaled air.
23
Q
What structures characterize the lateral wall of the nasal cavity?
A
The three nasal conchae:
Superior nasal concha
Middle nasal concha
Inferior nasal concha
24
Q
What is the purpose of the nasal conchae?
A
They increase the surface area of heat exchange with the air.
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What are the passages beneath each nasal concha called?
Superior nasal meatus (beneath superior nasal concha)
Middle nasal meatus (beneath middle nasal concha)
Inferior nasal meatus (beneath inferior nasal concha)
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What is the sphenoethmoidal recess?
A small space above the superior nasal concha
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What are the paranasal sinuses?
Air-filled extensions of the respiratory part of the nasal cavity that extend into several cranial bones.
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What are the four main types of paranasal sinuses?
Frontal sinuses (F)
Sphenoid sinuses (S)
Maxillary sinuses (M)
Ethmoidal air cells/sinuses (E)
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Where are the frontal sinuses located?
Within the frontal bone above the eyes.
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Where are the sphenoid sinuses located?
Within the sphenoid bone, near the center of the skull.
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Where are the maxillary sinuses located?
Within the maxilla, beneath the cheeks and lateral to the nasal cavity.
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What are ethmoidal air cells?
Small air-filled spaces within the ethmoid bone, divided into anterior, middle, and posterior groups.
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How do the paranasal sinuses communicate with the nasal cavity?
Through openings on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
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Where does the frontal sinus drain?
Into the semilunar hiatus via the frontonasal duct.
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What is the semilunar hiatus?
A crescent-shaped groove on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity with openings for the frontal sinus and anterior ethmoidal air cells.
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Where do the middle ethmoidal air cells open?
Into the ethmoidal bulla on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
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Where do the posterior ethmoidal air cells open?
Into the superior nasal meatus.
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What structure drains into the inferior nasal meatus?
The nasolacrimal duct.
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What 3 structures drain into the middle nasal meatus?
Frontal sinus
Maxillary sinus
Anterior and middle ethmoidal air cells (via the semilunar hiatus)
41
What drains into the superior nasal meatus?
The posterior ethmoidal air cells.
42
What drains into the sphenoethmoidal recess?
The sphenoid sinus.
43
What are the 3 proposed functions of the paranasal sinuses?
1. Add resonance to the voice.
2. Allow enlargement of local areas of the skull without increasing bony mass.
3. Warm and humidify inhaled air.
44
How are the paranasal sinuses connected to the nasal cavity?
They are connected via openings that allow mucus drainage, aided by cilia in the respiratory epithelium
45
How can infections spread to the paranasal sinuses?
Through the connections between the nasal cavity and sinuses, allowing pathogens to travel and cause sinusitis.
46
What happens during sinusitis?
The mucosa becomes inflamed and swollen.
The openings of the sinuses are obstructed, preventing drainage of infected material.
47
What does a coronal CT scan of the sinuses show?
Communication between the maxillary sinus and the middle meatus.
Red arrows indicate mucociliary flow.
Blue areas indicate the middle meatus.
Green stars point to the openings of sinuses.
48
What is the pharynx?
The pharynx is the superior expanded part of the gastrointestinal tract, located posterior to the nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx. It continues with the esophagus at the level of the C6 vertebra.
49
How does air enter the pharynx from the nasal cavity?
Air passes through the posterior nasal apertures into the pharynx.
50
What are the three parts of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx (NP) - Posterior to the nasal cavity.
Oropharynx (OP) - Posterior to the oral cavity.
Laryngopharynx (LP) - Posterior to the larynx.
51
At what vertebral level does the pharynx transition to the esophagus?
At the level of the C6 vertebra.
52
Where is the larynx located?
In the anterior neck at the level of the C3-C6 vertebrae.
53
What does the larynx connect?
The inferior part of the pharynx to the trachea.
54
What is the primary function of the larynx?
To guard the airway, especially during swallowing.
55
What role does the larynx play during swallowing?
It acts as a sphincter to prevent food and liquids from entering the lower respiratory tract.
56
How many cartilages make up the larynx?
Nine cartilages.
57
What are the three single cartilages of the larynx?
Thyroid cartilage
Cricoid cartilage
Epiglottis
58
What are the three paired cartilages of the larynx?
Arytenoid cartilage
Corniculate cartilage
Cuneiform cartilage
59
What ligament connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?
The thyrohyoid membrane (with the lateral and median thyrohyoid ligaments).
60
What structure forms the Adam’s apple?
The laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage.
61
What ligament connects the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage?
The median cricothyroid ligament (part of the conus elasticus).
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What are the arytenoid cartilages, and what is their function?
The arytenoid cartilages are attachment sites for several laryngeal muscles and are capable of abduction and adduction, crucial for vocal cord movement.
80
What is the vocal ligament?
It is a ligament that runs anteriorly from the arytenoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage, forming the true vocal cord.
81
What is the vestibular ligament, and where is it located?
The vestibular ligament, also known as the false vocal cord, sits superior to the vocal ligament.
82
What are the corniculate cartilages, and where are they located?
The corniculate cartilages sit above the arytenoid cartilages.
83
How are the vocal and vestibular ligaments related to membranes?
Both ligaments are thickenings of membranes within the larynx.
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What are the two main membranes of the larynx?
Quadrangular membrane
Conus elasticus
86
What separates the vestibular and vocal ligaments in the larynx?
A horizontal cleft created by the quadrangular membrane and the conus elasticus.
87
Where does the quadrangular membrane extend?
Between the arytenoid cartilages and the lateral margins of the epiglottis.
88
Where does the conus elasticus extend?
It connects the thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages.
89
What do the free margins of the laryngeal membranes form?
Vestibular ligament (upper margin, false vocal cord).
Vocal ligament (lower margin, true vocal cord).
90
Where are the cuneiform cartilages located?
Superior to the corniculate cartilages, embedded in the aryepiglottic folds.
91
What is the aryepiglottic fold?
A structure formed by the quadrangular membrane and cuneiform cartilages, supporting the edges of the laryngeal inlet.
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What is the laryngeal inlet?
The opening of the laryngeal cavity where air enters and continues to the trachea.
95
What structures bound the laryngeal inlet laterally?
The aryepiglottic folds.
96
What is the role of muscles within the aryepiglottic folds?
They act as sphincters to guard the inlet.
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98
What is the rima glottidis?
It is the fissure between the vocal folds anteriorly and the arytenoid cartilages posteriorly. It is the narrowest part of the larynx.
99
What determines the width of the rima glottidis?
The width varies with movements of the vocal cords and arytenoid cartilages during respiration and phonation.
100
What is the rima vestibuli?
It is the fissure between the two vestibular folds (false vocal cords).
101
What happens to the rima glottidis during abduction of the vocal ligaments?
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle contracts, causing external rotation of the arytenoid cartilages and widening the rima glottidis.
102
What happens to the rima glottidis during adduction of the vocal ligaments?
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle contracts, causing internal rotation of the arytenoid cartilages and narrowing the rima glottidis.
103
How is the width of the rima glottidis modified?
By movements of the arytenoid cartilages, controlled by muscle contractions.
104
What does internal rotation of the arytenoid cartilages cause?
Adduction of the vocal folds.
Closure of the glottis, preventing air movement.
105
What does external rotation of the arytenoid cartilages cause?
Abduction of the vocal folds.
Opening of the glottis, allowing air movement.
106
What is the function of the glottis during forced inspiration?
It is widely open to allow maximum airflow into the trachea.
107
What is the position of the rima glottidis during phonation?
The vocal folds are adducted, creating a narrow glottis for sound production.
108
What happens to the rima glottidis during quiet respiration?
The vocal folds are slightly abducted, allowing air to pass freely.
109
Which nerve supplies the larynx?
The vagus nerve.
110
What are the branches of the superior laryngeal nerve, and their functions?
Internal branch: Sensory and autonomic; supplies sensory fibers to the laryngeal mucosa superior to the vocal folds.
External branch: Motor; innervates the cricothyroid muscle.
111
What is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerves?
Supply the laryngeal mucosa inferior to the vocal folds.
Innervate all intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid.
112
Where does the right recurrent laryngeal nerve loop?
Around the right subclavian artery.
113
Where does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve loop?
Around the root of the aortic arch and the ligamentum arteriosum.
114
Which muscles are not innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerves?
The cricothyroid muscle.
115
How does the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve reach the larynx?
It passes through the thyrohyoid membrane.
116
What artery is associated with the path of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve?
The right subclavian artery.
117
What structures does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve pass around?
The aortic arch and the ligamentum arteriosum.
118
Which arteries supply the larynx?
The laryngeal arteries, which are branches of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries.
119
What is the origin of the superior laryngeal artery?
It is a branch of the superior thyroid artery.
120
What is the pathway and function of the superior laryngeal artery?
It accompanies the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve through the opening in the thyrohyoid membrane to supply the superior part of the larynx.
121
What is the origin of the inferior laryngeal artery?
It is a branch of the inferior thyroid artery.
122
What is the pathway and function of the inferior laryngeal artery?
It accompanies the recurrent laryngeal nerves to supply the inferior part of the larynx.
123
Which artery provides blood to the superior part of the larynx?
The superior laryngeal artery.
124
Which artery provides blood to the inferior part of the larynx?
The inferior laryngeal artery.
125
The inferior thyroid artery is a branch of which major vessel?
The thyrocervical trunk.
