Respiratory: Upper respiratory tract Flashcards
What are the 3 parts of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx - base of skull to soft palate
Oropharynx - soft palate to superior border of epiglottis
Laryngopharynx - superior border of epiglottis to lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)
What are the functions of the nasal cavity?
- Warms and humidifies the inspired air
- Removes and traps pathogens from inspired air (nasal hairs)
- sense of smell
- drains and clears the paranasal sinuses and lacrimal ducts (eyes)
What are the conchae?
Projections into the nasal cavity which create pathways for the air to flow called meatuses.
There is a superior, middle and inferior concha
There is a superior, middle, and inferio meatus
What is the function of the conchae?
Increases the surface area of the nasal cavity – this increases the amount of air that comes into contact with the cavity walls.
They also slow down the air so that it can be humidified
Name the pairs of paranasal sinuses
Frontal sinuses - above the eyebrows
Ethmoidal sinuses - bridge of nose
Maxillary sinuses - either side of nose
Sphenoid sinuses - ear
They drain into the nasal cavity via meatuses
Why are children more prone to middle ear infections?
In children the eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal so contents from nose more likely to go up to ear.
What are the functions of the larynx?
- guards air passages during swallowing
- maintains patent airway (has supporting cartilages)
- phonation
What is the rima glottidis?
The space between the vocal chords. Closes during swallowing
Why may a hoarse voice suggest an intra-thoracic problem such as lung cancer?
The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies the vocal chords. It has a long route - loops under the aorta
The left RLN can be injured in the thorax eg lung tumours causing paralysis of the right vocal chord causing a hoarse voice.
