Airway Flashcards
Where are the turbinates?
nasal passages
What are the turbinates?
hard ridges of cartilage bottom turbinate is a bone in itself
Function of nasal passages
warms, humidifies, and filters air
(air becomes “turbinate” and creates non linear flow, which is what heats up air)
accounts for 2/3 total upper airway resistance
When the pharyngeal tonsils become inflamed, what are they referred to as?
Adenoids
Components of nasal passage anatomy
septum
turbinates
adenoids
Innervation of nasal passages
Branches of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Components of oral cavity anatomy
teeth
tongue
hard palate
soft palate
Hard and soft palate innervation
trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Innervation of anterior 2/3 tongue
Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Innervation of posterior 1/3 tongue
glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Innervation of soft palate (mostly uvula)
glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Innervation of oropharynx
glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
What is the pharynx and what are its components?
Portion of the upper airway that connects the nasal and oral cavities to larynx and esophagus
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- hypopharynx/laryngopharynx

components of nasopharynx
- starts posterior to turbinates, includes adenoids, ends at the tip of the uvula and soft palate
- Border is the soft palate
Components of the oropharynx
- Border is the epiglottis
- Tonsils, Uvula
Components of the laryngopharynx
Tip of epiglottis down to cricoid cartilage. It leads to the glottic opening.
Innervation of superior components of the pharynx
Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
Innervation of inferior components of the pharynx
Vagus (CN X) (laryngopharynx)
Where is the larynx located in regard to the spine?
C4-C6 in the adult
Functions of larynx
Airway protection (with epiglottis)
Respiration
Phonation (with air passing through vocal cords)
Unpaired cartilages of the larynx
- Thyroid
- Cricoid
- Epiglottis

Paired cartilages of the larynx
- Arytenoids
- Corniculates
- Cuneiforms

Describe the thyroid cartilage
Unpaired cartilage of the larynx
Large and most prominent
Anterior attachment for vocal cords.
Describe the epiglottis
Unpaired cartilage of the larynx
Cartilaginous flap that serves as the anterior border of the larygneal inlet
Covers opening to the larynx during swallowing













































