Respiratory Tract Flashcards
what is the purpose of respiratory tracts
respiration
what are the two components of the respiratory tract
upper and lower respiratory tracts
what did the respiratory tract used to be divided into
upper respiratory tract
respiratory airways
lungs
what are the three functions of the respiratory tract
conduction of air
respiration
protection against pathogens
how does the respiratory tract conduct air
by warming and humidifying it
how does the respiratory tract protect against pathogens
using mucous
what is included in the upper respiratory tract
nose
paranasal sinuses
mouth (including the tonsils)
throat
larynx
describe the external nose
protuberance for nostrils
found in the central portion of the face
skin, muscle, bone
hyaline cartilage
lined by mucous membrane
which type of cartilage is the nose composed of
hyaline
what are nares
the nostrils
describe the internal portion of the nose
nasal cavity, with a superior and posterior portion between the inferior and anterior cranial fossa
superior to the mouth
what is the internal nose continuous with
nares and pharynx
what is the nasolacrimal duct
a duct that links just underneath the inferior concha at the inferior meatus with the medial canthus of the eye
allows tears from the eyes to pass into the nose, which is noticeable when crying
what makes up the nasal septum
cartilage and bone
what ducts are found in the internal portion of the nose
ducts from paranasal sinuses and the nasolacrimal duct
describe what the external nose is covered with
skin with hair and keratin
what is the epithelium of the respiratory segment of the nose
ciilated pseudostratified columnar epithelium
what is the epithelium of the olfactory segment of the nose
ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium as well as olfactory receptors
what are olfactory receptors
receptors that detect air borne odour moleucles that enter the nasal cavity and bind to the receptors. the activation of the receptors results in olfactory receptor neurons sending an impulse to the brain’s olfactory system
where is olfactory epithelium found
at the roof of the nasal cavity, several centimeters superior and posterior to the nostrils
what are the functions of the nose
warm and filter air via the concha
sense of smell
modification of speech and vocal resonance
what are the functions of the paranasal sinuses
vocal resonance and modification of speech
what are paranasal sinuses
air filled spaces found within the bones of the skull
list the main functions of the four paired sinuses in the head
lighten the weight of the head
support immune defence of the nasal cavity
humidify inspired air
increase resonance of the voice
what are the four paired sinuses in the head
frontal sinuses
sphenoid sinuses
ethmoidal sinuses
maxillary sinuses
what are the frontal sinuses
two frontal sinuses located within the frontal bone of the skull
most superior of the paranasal sinuses
triangular in shape
what are the sphenoid sinuses
situated in the body of the sphenoid bone
what are the ethmoidal sinuses
three of these sinuses located within the ethmoid bone
anterior, middle and posterior
what are the maxillary sinuses
largest of the sinuses
located laterally and inferiorly to the nasal cavities
where do the paranasasal sinuses drain
into the nasal cavity, underneath the frontal sinus opening
pathway for spread of infection, as the fluid draining from the frontal sinus can enter the maxillary sinus
label
frontal
ethmoid air
eye socke
sphenoid
maxillary
label
frontal
ethmoid
eye socket
sphenoid
maxillary
what is an oro-antral fistula
an opening created between paranasal sinuses and the mouth
there is abnormal communication that exists between the two epithelium lined organs that dont normally connect
what can commonly cause oro-antral fistulas
molar tooth extraction, trauma, bone disease like osteomyelitis or after radiotherapy
what is the pharynx
muscular tube from the base of the skull at C6 to the oesophagus
function of the pharynx
conduct air and direct food to the oesophagus
where is the nasopharynx
stretches from the base of the skull to the soft palate
where is the oropharynx
soft palate uvula to the epiglottis
where is the laryngopharynx
epiglottis to where there is bifurcation at the oesophagus and trachea
what does the lower respiratory tract consist of
larynx
trachea
right bronchus and left bronchus
lungs
blood air barrier
what is the larynx
the voice box, which acts as a sphincter and home to the vocal cords
where is the larynx
between C3 and C6
describe the larynx in more detail
cartilagenous segment of the respiratory tract located in the anterior aspect of the neck
protects the lower respiratory tract from aspirating food into the trachea while breathing
4-5cm in length and width
smaller in women
the larger the larynx, the deeper the voice
what holds the larynx in place
muscles and ligaments
what does the inferior aspect of the larynx connect to
superior region of the trachea
what is the hyoid bone
only bone in the body not connected to another body
horse shoe shaped, and found between the chin and thyroid cartilage
serves as an attachment of the anterior neck muscles
label this
how many cartilages are found in the larynx
nine
name the six cartilage types of the laryngeal skeleton
thyroid
cricoid
epiglottis
arytenoid
corniculate
cuneiform
what are the unpaired cartilages of the laryngeal skeleton
thyroid
cricoid
epiglottis
what are the paired cartilages of the laryngeal skeleton
arytenoid
corniculate
cuneiform
what is the location of the thyroid cartilage
protective shield surounding the anterior part of the larynx
spans vertically from the superior to inferior regions
what is the the largest of the laryngeal cartilages
the thyroid cartilage
what is the laryngeal prominence
the thryoid cartilage is shaped like a half opened book, and the spine of the book is a protrusion known as the laryngeal prominence. ie the adams apple
what are the other names for the circoid cartilage
circoid ring or signet ring
which cartilage encircles the trachea completely
the criciod cartilage
what is the location of the cricoid cartilage
inferior larynx, level of C6
what are the two parts of the cricoid cartilage
the arch, anteriorly
the lamina, posteriorly
what is the epiglottis
elastic cartilagenous leaf shaped flap covering the opening of the larynx
what is the function of the epiglottis
allows passage of air into the larynx, trachea and lungs
prevents food from entering the trachea
what are the arytenoid cartilages
small, hard, flexible pyramid shaped cartilages that sit over the posterior portion of the cricoid cartilage
has a vocal process and a muscular process
what are the corniculate cartilages of santorini
small elastic cone shaped cartilages that articulate with the apices of the arytenoid cartilages
what are the cuneiform cartilages
wrisberg cartilages, which are two elongated fibrous pieces of yellow cartilage places on either side of the aryepiglottic field
no direct attachment to other cartilages but serve to support the vocal folds and the lateral aspects of the epiglottis
how do the laryngeal cartilages move
thanks to several joints between them
what does the cricothyroid joint connect
thyroid to cricoid
what does the cricoarytenoid joint connect
each arytenoid to cricoid
what does the arycorniculate joint connect
the arytenoid to the santorini
label this
what is the aryepiglottic fold
a fold located at the entrance of the larynx and extends from the edges of the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages
the growl of our voices can be due to the approximation of these folds can help sustained movement at low frequency
function of the arytenoid cartilage
tension
relaxation
approximation
(of vocal cords)
what is the vestibular fold
vestibular ligament and mucous membrane over it
helps protect the larynx
“false vocal cords”
what are vocal folds/cords
white in colour, avascular, help with voice production or phonation by movements like abudction, tension, relaxation, and pitch of the voice
label this please
what can lead to a cricothyroidotomy
foreign objects in the upper airway
facial trauma
oedema of the glottis
what is a cricothyroidotomy
emergency only procedure due to an inability to breathe
incision made in skin, into cricothyroid membrane to place a tube into the space to maintain the airway
rarely performed
the cricothryoidotomy can then be connected to ventilating equipment to take over breathing
how long is the trachea
4-5 inches long
how many cartilagenous rings are there on the trachea
15-20
where does the trachea begin
C6
label this
A = Epiglottis
B = Thyroid cartilage
C = Cricothyroid membrane
D = Trachea
describe what makes up the trachea
the wall is composed of fibrous tissue
the cartilage maintains the airway
there is no cartilage posteriorly, and instead there is smooth muscle called trachealis
what is the respiratory epithelium
ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells
when is a tracheostomy carried out
in acutely ill patients who need long term mechanical ventilation
which bronchus is shorter
the right
what is the main bronchus
the left bronchus
describe the right bronchus
vertical
greater diameter
shorter
which bronchus is more likely to get foreign bodies stuck in it
the right
what is the epithelial lining of the bronchi like
still respiratory, same as the trachea
describe how the bronchi divide
superior and inferior lobe bronchus both left and right lungs
in the right lung, there is also the middle lobe bronchus
