Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the function of the conducting respiratory system?

Answer 1

Filter, warm and moisten air and conduct into lungs.

Question 2

Describe the structure of the diaphragm.

Answer 2

1. Muscular at periphery.

2. Tendinous at central.

Question 3

What nerves innervate the diaphragm?

Answer 3

Phrenic nerves from C3,4,5 vertebrae.

Question 4

What are the boundaries of the nasal cavity?

Answer 4

1. Nasal septum (medially).
2. Nasal conchae (laterally).
3. Hard and soft palates (floor).
4. Ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid bones.

Question 5

Describe the structure of the nasal septum.

Answer 5

1. Anteriorly made from septal cartilage.

2. Posteriorly made of bone (perpendicular plate of ethmoid, and vomer bone).

Question 6

What happens if septum deviates from midline?

Answer 6

Sinus drainage causing sinusitis.

Question 7

What is the function of the conchae?

Answer 7

Increase surface area for airflow and heat exchange.

Question 8

What is the name given to the space between the superior concha and nasal roof?

Answer 8

Sphenoethmoidal recess.

Question 9

What does the soft palate separate?

Answer 9

The nasopharynx and oropharynx.

Question 10

What are the names of the 4 nasal sinuses?

Answer 10

1. Frontal.
2. Maxillary.
3. Ethmoidal air cells
4. Sphenoidal.

Question 11

What is the function of the sinuses?

Answer 11

1. Assist in warming incoming air.

Question 12

What is the area prone to epistaxis and why does this occur?

Answer 12

1. Kiesselbach’s area.

2. 4 arteries anastomose forming a vascular plexus.

Question 13

What is the piriform fossa involved in?

Answer 13

Speech.

Question 14

What epithelia covers the oropharynx and laryngopharynx?

Answer 14

1. Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium.

2. Needed as food is tougher.

Question 15

Name three unpaired cartilages in the larynx?

Answer 15

1. Epiglottic (elastic)
2. Thyroid.
3. Cricoid (hyaline, complete circle).

Question 16

Name three paired cartilages in the larynx?

Answer 16

1. Arytenoid.
2. Corniculate.
3. Cuneiform.

Question 17

Upper edge of quadrangular membrane?

Answer 17

Aryepiglottic fold.

Question 18

Lower edge of quadrangular membrane?

Answer 18

Vestibular fold.

Question 19

Upper edge of cricovocal/cricothyroid membrane?

Answer 19

Vocal fold.

Question 20

What important feature does the aryepiglottic fold form?

Answer 20

Laryngeal inlet.

Question 21

What important structure is found in the laryngeal ventricle and what does it do?

Answer 21

Saccule; helps lubricate the vocal folds.

Question 22

What is the rima glottidis?

Answer 22

Opening between the vocal chords and the arytenoid cartilages.

Question 23

What are the important nerves with respect to the larynx?

Answer 23

1. Superior laryngeal nerve.

2. Recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Question 24

What does the superior laryngeal nerve supply?

Answer 24

One muscle and sensation above the vocal chords.

Question 25

What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve supply?

Answer 25

All other muscles and sensation of vocal chords and below.

Question 26

What vertebrae does the trachea span from?

Answer 26

C6 to T4/5.

Question 27

Where can you palpate the trachea?

Answer 27

Anteriorly above the suprasternal notch.

Question 28

What is the trachea composed of?

Answer 28

1. C shaped rings of hyaline cartilage

2. These support a fibre-elastic and muscular tube.

Question 29

What is the lingula?

Answer 29

Projection of the superior lobe on left lung; same as the right middle lobe.

Question 30

What structure separates the lungs?

Answer 30

Mediastinum.

Question 31

What happens to the epithelium in the bronchus?

Answer 31

1. Respiratory epithelium decreases in height.

2. C shaped rings of cartilage are replaced by cartilage plates.

Question 32

What type of epithelium is in the conducting bronchiole?

Answer 32

1. Ciliated columnar.

Note: there is smooth muscle as well.

Question 33

What type of epithelium is in the terminal and respiratory bronchiole?

Answer 33

Non-ciliated cuboidal epithelium.

Note: no goblet cells.

Question 34

What is the correct name for the alveolar wall?

Answer 34

Septa.

Question 35

Describe the pleura anatomy.

Answer 35

1. Superiorly the apex of lung and pleura is above the clavicle.
2. Inferiorly, pleura extends down to costal margin BUT lungs end 2 rib specs higher.