Upper respiratory tract Flashcards
Name what is found in the upper RT
-External nose
-Nasal cavities
-Pharynx
-Larynx
Name what is found on the lower RT
-Trachea
-Primary bronchi
-Bronchioles
-Alveoli of the lungs
What is the function of the nasal cavities
Humidify and filter incoming air
Name the structure that separates the two nasal cavities
Nasal septum
What keeps the nasal cavities patent (open)?
Bone and cartilage
What surrounds the small anterior region of the nasal cavities
Cartilage of the external nose
What is the large posterior region of the nasal cavities made up of?
It is situated within the skull, therefore made up of bone
What is the anatomical names for the anterior openings of the nasal cavities?
Nares/nostrils
What is the anatomical names for the posterior openings of the nasal cavities?
Nasal chonchae
What separates the nasal cavity from the oral and cranial cavities
Separated from the oral cavity by the hard palate.
Separated from the cranial cavity by parts of the cranial bones.
What cranial bones make up the external nose?
-Nasal bone
-Part of the frontal bone
-Part of the maxillary bone
Name the cartilages found on the external nose
Superior margin of septal cartilage
-Lateral processes of septal cartilage
-Major and minor alar cartilages
Describe the roof of the nasal cavity
Narrow
* Highest in central regions
- Anterior and posteriorly: roof slopes downward
* Formed by bones and cartilages of the external
nose + parts of other cranial bones
Describe the floor of the nasal cavity
Smooth, concave and wider than the roof
* Formed by soft tissues of the external nose + hard
palate
Describe the medial wall of the nasal cavity
Vertically orientated (median sagittal plane)
* Nasal septum (mucosa covered)
- Septal nasal cartilage
- Vomer
- Perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone
- Parts of the other cranial bones
Describe the lateral wall of the nasal cavity
Formed by parts of the ethmoid, palatine, sphenoid, lacrimal,
and maxillary bones + inferior concha
Explain the anatomy of the nasal chonchae/turbinates
Three curved shelves of bone (mucosa covered)
- Project medially and inferiorly
What is the function of nasal chonchae
- Increase surface area for contact between the nasal tissues
and inspired air
Name the 4 divisions of the nasal cavity
Spheno-ethmoidal
recess + Superior, Middle and Inferior nasal meatuses
What is the function of paranasal sinuses
-Aids voice resonance
-Lightens the skull
Name paranasal sinuses
Frontal sinuses
-Maxillary sinuses
-Ethmoidal cells (anterior, middle, and posterior)
-Sphenoidal sinuses
What forms the pharyngeal wall?
formed by skeletal muscles (longitudinal and
constrictor muscles) + fascia
What structure Connects the oral and nasal cavities to the larynx and oesophagus
Pharynx
True or false:
The larynx is the common pathway for air and food
False, it is the pharynx
Describe the nasopharynx
Behind choanae & below skull base—>soft palate
- Pharyngeal tonsil lies on roof
- Opening of auditory tube lies on lateral wall
Describe the oropharynx
Soft palate —> Superior margin of epiglottis
- Palatine tonsils lie on lateral wall
(between palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches)
- Lingual tonsils lie on anterior wall
Describe the laryngopharynx
Laryngopharynx
- Superior margin of epiglottis—> Beginning of oesophagus (C6)
How is the larynx connected to the laryngopharynx
The laryngopharynx is connected to the larynx via the laryngeal inlet
State the function of the larynx
Instrument for sound production
Acts as a valve to close lower RT
What is the larynx made up of?
3 unpaired cartilages
- 3 paired cartilages
- A fibroelastic membrane
- Numerous intrinsic muscles
Name the three unpaired cartilages of the larynx
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
Describe the thyroid cartilage
Largest laryngeal cartilage
- Left + right lamina (Connected anteriorly but separated
posteriorly - have superior and inferior horns)
Describe the cricoid cartilage
- Most inferior laryngeal cartilage
- Completely encircles airway
- Anterior narrow arch + Posterior broad lamina
Describe the epiglottis
Leaf-shaped
- Projects postero-superiorly
Name the three paired cartilages
Arytenoid cartilages
Corniculate cartilages
Cuneiform cartilages
Describe the arytenoid cartilages
- Pyramid shape - Apex articulates with corniculate cartilages - Base articulates with cricoid cartilage
Describe the corniculate cartilages
Two small conical cartilages - Apex projects postero-medially - Base articulates with arytenoid cartilages
Describe cuneiform cartilages
Two small club-shaped cartilages - Suspended in fibro-elastic membrane
Name the extrinsic ligaments of the larynx
Thyrohyoid membrane
- Thickens to form median and
lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
* Thyro-epliglottic ligament
* Hyo-epiglottic ligament
* Cricotracheal ligament
Name the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx
Fibroelastic membrane
- Upper quandrangular membrane
- Lower conus elasticus
