Structure of airway Flashcards
Name of the structures of the respiratory tract from superior to inferior
Nose, Naval cavity and Sinuses
Nasophranyx and Soft palate
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi and Bronchial tree
Lungs and Pleura
Thoracic wall
Diaphragm
Mechanisms of respiration
Respiration is termed as
Inhalation/inspiration are achieved by
Exhalation/expiration is achieved by
Name the nose and naval cavity structures
What is the nasal septum?
The Nasal Septum a midline structure which separates the leY and right nasal cavi)es. Anteriorly the septum is made of septal car)lage, while posteriorly the septum is made of bone.
** If septum deviated from midline, sinus drainage may be compromised causing for example sinusitis - inflammation of the sinuses.
What are the boundaries of the nasal cavities?
Nasal septum and floor on photo from longitudinal slicing.
Incoming air must be filtered, humidified, and warmed in the nasal cavity.
The lateral wall of the nasal cavity contains 3 nasal conchea/ turbinates ( superior, middle inferior ). These conchae provide turbulence and increasing surface area for air flow and heat exchange.
What would you see on the aterior view of the nasal cavity?
Nasal cavity as a tent with a pole in the middle
Nasal cavity as a summary
The nasal cavity is divided by the midline septum, the turbinates ( conchae ) project from the lateral wall and overhanf the meati, into which the sinuses open. Norbits are immeditately lateral to the nasal cavity
The maxillary sinus and the septum in relation to sinusitis.
The maxillary sinus opening is high in its medial wall and clearance of mucus is dependent upon cilliary action, which may be compromised by infection, possibly leading to sinusitis. A deviated septum may also predispose to sinusitis.
The nasal cavity sinuses
The sinuses from a frontal plane.
Is the nasal cavity highly vascularised or low vascularised?
Nasal mucosal membrane is highly vascularised. These vessels anastamose between branches of the external carotids and internal carotids ( both L and R )
Nasal cavity: Nerves
What does the pharynx lie behind?
In order;
The nasal cavity ( Nasopharynx)
The oral cavity ( Oropharynx )
The larynx ( Laryngopharynx )
The nasophraynx role?
Transports air
Divided from oropharynx by soft palate.
Oropharynx and larynopharynx role?
Transports air plus food and fluid
These must be seperated so air passes into the larynx while food and fluid continue into the laryngophraynx.
The nasalpharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx on the anterior wall of the pharynx.
What is the larynx as a term?
The Larynx is a membranous tube suspended between car)lages, the posi)ons of which are controlled by muscles. Laryngeal diameters may be altered to allow the passage of air only, and control airflow for speech and raising intra-abdominal pressure.
Laryngeal cartilages for larynx are called?
Aryepiglottic fold
Aryepiglocc fold is at the upper edge of the quadrangular membrane, while the ves)bular fold is formed by the lower edge of the quadrangular membrane. The vocal fold is the upper edge of the cricovocal/cricothyroid membrane.
Aryepiglottic folds form the laryngeal inlet, which is the protective sphincter.Closure of the inlet is by elevation of the larynx, which is lifted up and forward during swallowing - toilet. Muscles within the aryepiglottic folds aid both closure and widening of the laryngeal inlet.
You can feel this yourself on your neck.
Folds and saccules/ ventricle of the larynx?
Within the opening of the laryngeal ventricle is the saccule where there are mucosal glands which help lubricate the vocal folds.
Larynx: vocal folds
The vocal folds control laryngeal diameter for: speech, coughing, sneezing and raising the intra- abdominal pressure, vital in micturi)on, defeca)on and liYing heavy objects.
Muscles within and adjacent to the vocal folds narrow or widen the opening (rima glottidis), or alter their tension.
Larynx: muscles
What is their main actions?
- Close and open the inlet ( aryepiglottic fold )
- Close and open the rima glottidis ( arytenoid gliding and rotation )
- Shorten/lengthen the vocal folds ( “ rocking” at cricothyroid joints )
What is the actions of the larynx nerves?
Superior laryngeal nerve supplies only 1 muscle and sensa)onabove vocal cords.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies all other muscles, and sensa)on of vocal cords and below.
Laryngeal nerves may be at risk during thyroid surgery.
Trachea function and placement
- In front of oesophagus
- Medial to caro)d arteries and internal jugular veins
- Inferior to larynx
- Thyroid gland surrounds the upper por)on
Trachea in aspect to bronchi
The trachea divide into right and left main bronchi
