Upper Respiratory Tract Pathology

Question 1

Anatomy of the upper resp tract

Answer 1

Nose 
Naso- pharynx
Larynx
Paranasal sinuses
Eustachian tube 
Middle ear

Question 2

Defence mechanisms in the upper resp tract

Answer 2

Filtration of 10-20000 litres of air a day 
Muco-ciliary escalator
Cough sneeze gag swallow reflex 
Richly vascularised mucosa
Erectile hairs 
MALT - Waldeyers ring 
WBC and IgA secretion

Question 3

Problems with the muco ciliary system

Answer 3

PCD primary ciliary dyskinesia - genetic condition where the cilia fail to beat
Also called Kartageners syndrome
Bronchiecstasis
Infertility

Question 4

What is rhinitis

Causes and effects

Answer 4

Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose
Acute:
Aetiology: viruses bacteria, allergens -seasonal, occasionally fungal
Effects: inflammation - congested, oedematous, rhinorrhoea -Watery or mucoid or muco purulent
Chronic :
Atrophy of the mucus glands and surface epithelium, squamous metaplasia, fibrosis

Question 5

What is sinusitis

Causes and effects

Answer 5

Irritation inflammation of mucous membrane of the sinuses
Aetiology: virus, bacteria, allergens, fungal
Effects: mucocoel or empyema, orbital cellulitis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, cerebral abscess
Chronic :
Nasal and naso-signal polyps

Question 6

What is pharyngitis

Causes and effects

Answer 6

Irritation, inflammation of the pharynx
Acute
Aetiology:
Virus, bacteria - streoptococci, haemophiliacs, also dip, tetanus, polio, gonorrhoea, syphilis fungi - candida
Effects - tonsilitis, retropharyngeal abscess peritonsilar abscess (quinsy), cervical, adenitis, parapharyngeal abscess, ludwigs angina
Chronic
Continuing irritation from another source