Upper Respiratory Anatomy Flashcards
Structures forming the nasal septum
- perpendicular plate
- septal cartilage
- vomer
Which structures in the nasal septum are bony or cartilaginous
- vomer: bony
- perpendicular plate: bony
- septal cartilage: cartilaginous
Function of nasal conchae
enables nose to cleanse, warm, and humidify the air
Importance of humidifying/warming air
- prevents damage to the lungs
- ensures optimal gas exchange
Components of the palate
- hard palate
- soft palate
Function of the palate
- separation: allow for breathing while chewing food
- speech
- swallowing: soft palate elevates to prevent food from entering the nasal cavity
Regions of the pharynx
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
Structures within the nasopharynx
- pharyngeal tonsil
- openings of the auditory tubes
Structures within the oropharynx
palatine and lingual tonsil
Structures within the laryngopharynx
- epiglottis
- where esophagus begins
Types of epithelia in different regions of the upper respiratory tract
Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium:
- nasocavity
- nasopharynx
- trachea
- bronchi
- larger bronchioles
Stratified epithelium:
- surrounding vestibule
Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium:
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
Columnar or cuboidal epithelium:
- small bronchioles
Simple squamous epithelium:
- lining of alveoli
What are the 4 paranasal sinuses?
- frontal sinus
- ethmoidal sinus
- sphenoidal sinus
- maxillary sinus
Functions of the paranasal sinuses
- resonance of speech
- lightens weight of skull
- help moisten and warm incoming air
- produces mucus via goblet cells
9 laryngeal cartilages
Singular cartilage:
- epiglottic cartilage
- thyroid cartilage
- cricoid cartilage
Paired cartilage:
- arytenoid cartilages
- corniculate cartilages
- cuneiform cartilages
Composition of the laryngeal cartilages
- all but one are made of hyaline cartilage
- epiglottic cartilage is the only one made of elastic cartilage
Functions of the larynx
- opening for air
- serves as a voice box for phonation
Function of vestibular folds
come together to close glottis but has no role in speech
Function of epiglottis
closes the airway to direct food into the esophagus
Swell bodies function
swells with blood and restricts airflow through the nostril directing it to the other nostril allowing the engorged side time to recover from drying
Swell bodies location
lamina propria of the inferior nasal concha
What is the mucociliary escalator?
system in the conducting zone that consists of mucous and cilia
How does the mucociliary escalator work?
secreted mucous traps debris and cilia propels the debris toward the pharynx where the mucus is swallowed and debris is sent to the digestive system for disposal
What is the main line of defense against particles when the mucociliary escalator is absent?
alveolar macrophages
Why are alveolar macrophages the backup defense when the mucociliary escalator is absent?
engulf and digest (phagocytize) any particles that make it past the other defenses
