WEEK 1: UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT ANATOMY Flashcards
Outline parts that make up the upper respiratory tract
The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and the portion of the larynx above the vocal cords.
State the parts that make up the lower respiratory tract
The lower respiratory tract includes the larynx below the vocal cords, the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and the lungs.
State the 12 cranial bones of the nasal cavity, 4 paired and 4 unpaired
Nasal, Maxilla, Palatine, Lacrimal (PAIRED)
Sphenoid, Vomer, Ethmoid, Frontal (UNPAIRED)
Name the structures visible on the LATERAL WALL of the Nasal cavity
*Conchae: Superior, middle and inferior
*Meatus: Superior middle and inferior
*Choana: the opening between the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx
*Torus tubarius
*Sphenoethmoidal recess
Describe the following:
*Nasal vestibule
*Limen nasi
Nasal vestibule: The nasal vestibules are the two entry points into the nasal cavity.
Limen nasi: boundary between the nasal cavity proper and the vestibule
State the functions of the conchae
The lateral walls of the nasal cavity contain three bony projections called nasal conchae (superior, middle and inferior),
- which increase the surface area of the nasal cavity.
*The nasal conchae also disrupt the laminar flow of air, making it slow and turbulent, thereby helping to humidify and warm up the air to body temperature.
State the function of the meatus
They acts as a pathway of air to flow
What are functions of the nasal cavity?
*Olfaction
*Filtration
*Humidification and temperature Respiration
*Drains paranasal sinuses
What is the medial wall of the nasal cavity called?
nasal septum
Name the 3 main components that make up the nasal septum
*Septal cartilage, Vomer, perpendicular plate of the ethmoidal bone
What is Kieselbach area?
Kieselbach’s area is an anastomotic arterial network of four or five arteries in the nose supplying the nasal septum.
It is a common site for nose bleeds.
Describe the blood supply to the nasal septum.
*INTERNAL CAROTID supplies ophthalmic which forms Anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries
*EXTERNAL CAROTID gives:
-MAXILLARY ARTERY which gives Sphenopalatine artery which enters at sphenopalatine foramen
-MAXILLARY also gives Greater palatine artery
-FACIAL ARTERY fives rise to superior labial branch of facial artery
Where are the paranasal sinuses found?
List all the paranasal sinuses
*The paranasal sinuses are air-filled extensions of the nasal cavity.
*There are four paired sinuses – named according to the bone in which they are located – maxillary, frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid
State the functions of the paranasal sinuses.
*Lightening the weight of the head
*Supporting immune defense of the nasal cavity
*Humidifying inspired air
*Increasing resonance of the voice
Describe where each of the paranasal sinuses drain.
1.Frontal sinus: Frontonasal duct—- Ethmoidal infundibulum—-Middle nasal meatus—- Semilunar meatus
2.Maxillary sinus: Maxillary ostium—Semilunar hiatus—Middle nasal meatus
3.Ethmoidal sinus: divided into 3 groups:
-Anterior, Middle, Posterior
*Anterior: ethmoid infundibulum—Middle nasal meatus
*Middle: Form ethmoid bulla —Middle nasal meatus
*Posterior: Superior nasal meatus
4.Sphenoid: Sphenoethmoidal recess—Superior nasal meatus
5.Lacrimal duct: inferior nasal meatus
A patient is seen in the neurosurgery clinic with an MRI-confirmed pituitary adenoma. Surgical resection of the adenoma is planned.
When considering the surgical approach, which paranasal sinus provides access the pituitary gland?
Sphenoid
Which of the following is not an ethmoid sinus?
Anterior
Middle
Medial
Posterior
Medial
Which is the largest of the paranasal sinuses?
Frontal sinus
Maxillary sinus
Ethmoid sinus
Sphenoid sinus
Maxillary
Which sinus is prone to sinusitis and presents with a blocked nose?
Maxillary sinus
Why is the maxillary sinus difficult to drain?
Because of the position of the ostia, Gravity cannot drain the maxillary sinus when the head is erect.
Describe blood supply and nerve supply to each sinus
FRONTAL: Supra orbital nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic nerve), and arterial supply is via the anterior ethmoidal artery (a branch of the internal carotid).
MAXILLARY: anterior, middle, and posterior superior alveolar nerves, branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)
Blood supply: Superior alveolar nerve which is a branch of the maxillary nerve.
ETHMOIDAL: Anterior and posterior ethmoidal branches of the Naso ciliary nerve and the maxillary nerve. The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries are responsible for arterial supply.
SPHENOIDAL: Posterior ethmoidal nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic nerve), and branches of the maxillary nerve. They receive blood supply from pharyngeal branches of the maxillary arteries.
Describe the boundaries of the nasal cavity
ROOF: Sphenoid bone
FLOOR: Palatine process of the maxilla and horizontal plate of the palatine bone
LATERAL WALLS: Nasal conchae
MEDIAL: Nasal septum
Describe the clinical relevance of the nasal cavity.
*Nasal fracture
*Nasal septum deviation
*Rhinitis:
*Epistaxis
*Sinusitis
*Infection of the ethmoidal cells can result in blindness as some posterior ethmoidal cells lie close to the optical canal, which gives passage to the optic nerve causing optic neuritis
State the parts of the ethmoid bone
*Cribriform plate, crista galli, perpendicular plate
Describe the nerve supply to the nasal cavity
Olfactory nerves: Provides olfaction to the nose.
State the 3 components of the pharynx
*Nasopharynx, Oropharynx and laryngopharynx
Describe the anatomical position of each component of the pharynx
*NASOPHARYNX: Between the skull base and the soft palate
-Posterior to the nasal cavity
-C1 to C2
*OROPHARYNX: Between the soft palate and superior border of epiglottis
-Posterior to the oral cavity
-C3 to C4
*LARYNGOPHARYNX: Posterior to the larynx
-C5 to C6
What is the function of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx: Connects to the nasal cavities (nose) and lets air pass through.
Oropharynx: It allows air, food and fluid to pass through.
Laryngopharynx (or hypopharynx): It regulates the passage of air to the lungs and food and fluid to the esophagus.
What is the other name usually used to refer to the pharynx?
Throat
State the structure s contained in the nasopharynx
*choana
*Torus tubarius
*Opening of auditory tube
*Pharyngeal tonsils
*Pharyngeal recess
What is the link between pharyngeal tonsils to the auditory tube?
Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil cause blockage of the opening of the auditory tube hence build-up of fluid in the middle ear which can lead to increased risk of middle ear middle ear infection.
Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil can cause pain with swallowing which is often referred to the ears.
What are enlarged pharyngeal tonsils called?
Adenoid tonsils
State all the parts found in the Oropharynx.
Posterior third of the tongue, Lingual tonsil, Palatine tonsil
What structure connects oropharynx to the oral cavity?
oropharyngeal isthnus
What is the Waldeyer’s ring?
It is a ring of lymphoid tissue formed by the Pharyngeal, palatine, Lingual and tubal tonsils and is found between the Nasopharynx and the ororpharynx.
What is the Waldeyer’s ring?
It is a ring of lymphoid tissue formed by the Pharyngeal, palatine, Lingual and tubal tonsils and is found between the Nasopharynx and the oropharynx.
What is the functions of the Waldeyer’s ring?
The tonsils are classified as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT),
and therefore, contain T cells, B cells and macrophages.
They have an important role in fighting infection – the first line of defense against pathogens entering through the nasopharynx or oropharynx.
What are the functions of the larynx?
*Coughing reflex, Production of sound, conduction of air to lower respiratory tract and protection of the lower respiratory tract.
Name the 9 cartilages of the larynx. 3 paired and 3 unpaired
PAIRED
*Arytenoid, corniculate and cuneiform
UNPAIRED
*Thyroid, cricoid and Epiglottis
List the EXTRINSIC muscles of the larynx.
INFRAHYOID: Sternothyroid, sternohyoid and omohyoid
SUPRAHYOID: Stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid and digastric
List all the intrinsic muscles of the larynx
*Cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, Transverse and oblique arytenoids and vocalis muscles
What is the Rima glottis?
The space between the two vocal folds
What is the difference between vocal folds and vocal cords?
The terms “vocal cords” and “vocal folds” are often used interchangeably to describe the same structure in the human body.
What are the functions of the vocal folds?
*The vocal cords or vocal folds are located in the larynx (voice box) and are responsible for producing sound by vibrating when air passes through them.
Name all the Ligaments of the larynx
