Upper Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the hairs of the nose called?
Vibrissae
What is the function of the vibrissae?
To filter the air we breath as it enters the nose.
Which facial bones articulate with the nasal bone?
Both left and right maxillae and the frontal bone.
Why must and NPA be placed straight into the nose rather than upwards into the nose?
The nasal turbinates will obstruct the NPA, so the NPA must be placed beneath the turbinates.
What is the function of nasal turbinates?
They increase the turbulent flow to increase the contact time with the air to warm and humidify it, and filter the air using mucous.
What is the difference between the Chonae and the Conchae
Conchae= turbinates, the Chonae is a flap of tissue behind the turbinates and just above the soft palate that delineates the nasal cavity from the nasopharynx. Can be blocked in infants requiring surgery to open membrane.(called chonal atresia)
What cell type is found in the first third of the airway?
Stratified squamous epithelium.
What cell type is found in the second third of the airway?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia on top.
What cells in the airway are responsible for mucous production?
Goblet cells
What does cigarette smoke do to cilia?
Cigarette smoke paralyzes cilia, so overnight when a person is not smoking they regain their function and sweep debris up the airway, causing a morning smoker’s cough.
What cell type is found in bronchioles?
Simple cuboidal epithelium
What cell type is found in alveoli and why?
Simple squamous epithelium because these cells are very thin and allow for gas exchange.
What is the adenoid pad?
Lymph tissue at the back of the nasopharynx that allows the body to detect pathogens as they enter the airway.
What are the four functions of the sinuses?
Provide humidification, determine tonality of voice, equalize pressure, and potentially have immune function.
What landmark in the oropharyngeal cavity indicates where you should turn an OPA into the correct position?
The transition between the hard and soft palate.
What is the membrane that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth?
Lingual frenulum
Why is the vallecula important?
It is where the tip of a laryngoscope sits and allows you to move the epiglottis to make the airway visible.
What makes the hyoid bone unique?
It anchors the tongue and larynx and is the only bone in the body that does not articulate with another bone.
Where does the laryngeal cavity start and end?
Starts at the back of the tongue under the epiglottis and ends at the first ring of tracheal cartilage.
Which nerve innervating the larynx is responsible for sensory input?
The 9th cranial nerve
Which nerve innervating the larynx is responsible for motor input?
The 10th cranial nerve (Vagus nerve).
How many cartilages house the larynx and what are they?
9: Thyroid, cricoid, paired cuneiform, paired arytenoid, paired corniculate
How many cartilages house the larynx and what are they?
9: Thyroid, cricoid, epiglottis, paired cuneiform, paired arytenoid, paired corniculate.
What is the only complete cartilage in the airway?
The cricoid cartilage, the rest are C-shaped.
What is the narrowest point of adult and infant airways?
Adult= glottis Infant= cricoid
What is epiglottitis?
An infection of the epiglottis that causes it to become inflamed and can potentially impede air flow and can make it difficult to intubate because irritating the epiglottis can make the issue worse.
What is the function of the thyroepiglottis muscle?
Controls the epiglottis to prevent aspiration of food when swallowing.
When looking at the larynx using a laryngoscope, what are the bumps on the dorsal membrane just below the vocal cords?
The cuneiform cartilage
What is the function of the arytenoid and corniculate cartilage?
They anchor the vocal chords and allow the musculature to open (abduct) or close (adduct) the vocal cords.
When do the vocal cords abduct?
Upon inspiration
When do the vocal cords adduct?
Upon exhalation
What is a Valsalva maneuver?
When the true and false vocal cords adduct completely and allow you to build up pressure, for example when coughing or sneezing.
