Structure of airway Flashcards
describe inhalation
- Contaction of intercostal muscles brings rib cage upwards and outwards
- contraction of diaphragm which brings it downwards
- This creates a negative intra-thoracic pressure that sucks air into the lungs through the conductive passages.
describe expiration
intercostal muscle relax and rib cage moves downwards and inwards, diaphragm relaxes and moves upwards. The volume of the thorax decreases and the pressure increases. This forces air out of the lungs
is expiration usually passive?
yes
though what body part do you enter the nasal cavity?
Via the nares (sing. naris)
What holds the nasal cavities open?
Bone and cartilage
What cells make up the respiratory epithelium?
pseudo stratified, ciliated, columnar, interspersed with goblet cells
What do goblet cells do?
secrete mucus
What is the nasal septum?
midline structure which separates the left and right nasal cavities
what is the anterior of the nasal septum made of?
septal cartilage
what is the posterior of the nasal septum made of?
bone
what may be compromised if the nasal septum is deviated from the midline?
sinus drainage
what 3 things must happen to incoming air in the nasal cavity?
filtered, humidified and warmed
where are the conchae found?
on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity
how many conchae are on each lateral wall of the nasal cavity?
3 (superior, middle and inferior)
What do conchae do?
They increase the turbulence of the air, increases surface area for warming the air
what do you find lateral to each concha?
a meatus
What are meati important?
they are entrance points into the sinuses
point of sinuses
Large voids (increase SA) where air can be warmed, filtered, also important to make the skull lighter
What is clearance of mucus in the maxillary sinus dependent on?
Ciliary action
Which duct drains tears from conjunctiva of eye to nasal cavity?
nasolacrimal duct
Why is epistaxis common?
The nasal cavity is highly vascularised
what is epistaxis?
nosebleed
name of bulb and nerves for the sense of smell. where are they located?
olfactory bulb, olfactory nerves in olfactory epithelium. Located on roof and upper parts of lateral wall of nasal cavity
Name 3 parts of pharynx
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
What separates the nasopharynx from the oropharynx?
soft palete
what does the oropharynx transport?
air plus food and fluid
which part of the pharynx lies behind the oral cavity?
oropharynx