Lower Respiratory Tract Flashcards
1
Q
larynx
A
voice box, connects pharynx to trachea
2
Q
epiglottis
A
spoon shaped cartilage projecting superiorly into pharynx
- swallowing causes epiglottis to close larynx opening
3
Q
larynx functions
A
- passageway for air
- prevents ingested materials from entering the respiratory tract
- produces sound for speech
- participates in sneeze, cough reflexes
4
Q
thyroid cartilage
A
largest cartilage
5
Q
laryngeal prominence
A
adams apple
6
Q
cricoid cartilage
A
inferior, smaller
7
Q
rima glottidis
A
opening between vocal cords
8
Q
glottis
A
contains vocal folds (true vocal cords) plus rima glottidis
9
Q
vocal cords
A
air through the rima glottidis -> vibration of vocal folds -> sounds
10
Q
vocal range
A
how many octaves (depends on length and thickness of vocal folds)
11
Q
pitch
A
how much tension on vocal folds
12
Q
loudness
A
force of air through opening
13
Q
trachea
A
- windpipe
- anterior to esophagus, inferior to larynx, superior to main bronchi
- supported by C-shaped cartilaginous rings (good for swallowing)
