Week 2 - Anatomy of the Respiratory System, Lung Mechanics, Ventilation of the Lungs Flashcards
State the formula for alveolar ventilation rate.
Respiration rate x [tidal volume - dead space]
How can an upper respiratory tract infection develop into a middle ear infection?
Infection can travel via the auditory/Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx
How does the Eustachian tube differ in adults and children?
Horizontal and shorter in children
State the four paranasal sinuses.
- Frontal
- Ethmoid
- Sphenoid
- Maxillary
State the epithelial lining of the sinuses.
Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium with goblet cells
What is the area below the inferior concha called? What structure drains here?
Inferior meatus
Nasolacrimal duct
State four differential diagnoses for breathing difficulty related to the larynx.
- Laryngeal oedema: anaphylactic reaction/ severe infections such as croup in children
- Tumours
- Aspiration of a foreign body
- Bilateral vocal cord paralysis: vocal cords remain adducted
State the borders of the nasopharynx.
Nose to soft palate
State the borders of the oropharynx.
Soft palate to tip of epiglottis
State the borders of the laryngopharynx.
Tip of epiglottis to lower border of cricoid cartilage
How can sleep apnoea syndrome result in breathing difficulty?
Loss of tone of pharyngeal muscles during sleep can cause them to become floppy and obstruct the airways during sleep
At what vertebral level does the trachea start?
C6
What can the floating ribs be used for?
Surgical reconstruction: with this bit of bone harvested, can reconstruct certain parts of the body (not very functionally useful)
Which ribs are true ribs?
Ribs I - VII (direct connections to the sternum anteriorly)
Which ribs are false ribs?
Ribs VIII - XII - not directly connected to the sternum anteriorly
