Week 1 - Upper Resporatory Tract

Question 1

What structures form the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 1

Nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx and larynx

Question 2

What structure marks the end of the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 2

Lower border of cricoid cartilage

Question 3

What is an external nare?

Answer 3

A nostril

Question 4

Name the bony projections on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity

Answer 4

Superior, middle and inferior conchae

Question 5

What are the spaces between the conchae called?

Answer 5

Superior, middle and inferior meatuses

Question 6

What do the conchae and meatuses do?

Answer 6

Slows airflow - turbulent flow

Increases surface area over which air passes

Question 7

What are the 2 membranes lining the nasal cavity

Answer 7

Olfactory mucous membrane

Respiratory mucous membrane

Question 8

What is the function of the olfactory ,mucous membrane and where is it found?

Answer 8

For olfaction (smell)

Found in upper region of nasal cavity

Question 9

What is the function respiratory mucous membrane?

Answer 9

Filters (mucous and cilia)

Humidifies (watery secretions)

Warm (rich blood supply)

Question 10

The nasal cavity provides drainage for what?

Answer 10

Paranasal sinuses and nasolacrimal duct (in eye)

Question 11

What is sinusitis?

Answer 11

Where infection in nasal cavity has spread to paranasal sinuses

Question 12

What are paranasal sinuses and what do they do?

Answer 12

Air filled spaces

Secrete mucous

Help humidify and warm inspired air

Question 13

What are the paranasal sinuses called?

Answer 13

Frontal air sinus

Ethmoid sinus

Sphenoidal sinus

Maxillary sinus

Question 14

What are the sections of the pharynx called?

Answer 14

Nasopharynx

Oropharynx

Laryngopharynx

Question 15

Where does the pharynx extend from and to?

Answer 15

From the base of skull to C6

Question 16

What is special about the oropharynx?

Answer 16

Transports air and and food

Question 17

Where can an infection in upper respiratory tract potentially spread and who is most at risk?

Answer 17

Middle ear as joined to upper respiratory tract by Eustachian tube

Infants more prone as their tube is more horizontal than in adults

Question 18

What is the structure of the larynx?

Answer 18

Muscular tube with supporting cartilages

Question 19

What are the functions of the larynx?

Answer 19

Guards air passages (especially during swallowing)

Maintains open airway

Phonation (speech)

Question 20

What guards the entrance to the trachea?

Answer 20

Vocal cords - act as a ‘valve’

Question 21

What is the opening between the true vocal cords and arytenoid cartilages called?

Answer 21

Rima glottidis

Question 22

What does injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve cause?

Answer 22

Paralysis of vocal cord on that side of body, hoarseness of voice

Question 23

Where can left recurrent laryngeal nerve be injured?

Answer 23

In thorax e.g. Lung tumours