Session 5: The Airway and its Relations Flashcards
What type of epithelium lines the conchae?
Respiratory Epithelium
It increases the surface area for warming and humidifying the inspired air (conchae are also referred to as turbinate bones)
What name is given to the gaps between conchae?
Meati (superior, middle, inferior)
What is the name of the space superior to the superior concha?
Sphenoethmoidal Recess
Which sinus drains into the sphenoethmoidal recess?
Sphenoidal Sinus
What action does the epiglottis perform to close off the laryngeal inlet?
Retroflexion
What is the role of the pharyngotympanic tube (Eustachian tube)?
Equalises the pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane by allowing a connection between the middle ear and the nasopharynx
Where are the ethmoidal cells found?
Medial to the orbit
What is the clinical relevance of the sphenoid sinus in relation to the pituitary gland?
It is penetrated in transphenoidal hypophysectomy
Where do the posterior ethmoidal air cells drain?
Lateral wall of the superior meatus
What significant structure is found inferior to the middle nasal concha?
Semilunar Hiatus
Where does the sphenoidal sinus drain?
Into the sphenoethmoidal recess
What are the three parts of the ethmoidal air cells and where do each of them drain?
Anterior, middle and posterior ethmoidal air cells
Posterior – lateral wall of superior meatus
Middle – ethmoidal bulla
Anterior – top of the semilunar hiatus via the frontonasal duct with the drainage of the frontal sinus
Where does the maxillary sinus drain?
To the bottom of the semilunar hiatus
Where does the nasolacrimal duct drain and what is its role?
To the lateral wall of the inferior meatus It drains tears from the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity
State some roles of the sinuses in the skull.
It makes the skull lighter
Acts as a crumple one for the brain
Increases projection of the voice
What are the mastoid air cells and describe its connection with the middle ear.
They are small sinuses within the mastoid part of the temporal bone
The mastoid air cells communicate with the middle ear via the aditus ad antrum and the mastoid antrum
This is a possible route for infection of the middle ear