Chapter 2 Vocabulary: Clinical Airway Anatomy

Question 1

Adenoid

Answer 1

The pharyngeal toncil

Question 2

Airway

Answer 2

The conduit through which all air flows between the external environment and the functional level of gas exchange in the lungs

Question 3

Airway, lower

Answer 3

The portion of the airway below the glottic opening

Question 4

Airway, upper

Answer 4

The portion of the airway above the glottic opening

Question 5

Alveoli

Answer 5

Single-layered air sacs that are the functional site of the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Question 6

Arytenoids

Answer 6

Cartilaginous structures that articulate with the corniculate and cuneiform and make up the posterior attachment of the vocal cords

Question 7

Atelectasis

Answer 7

A condition of airless or collapsed alveoli that causes pulmonary shunting, ventilation-perfusion mismatching, and possibly hypoxemia

Question 8

Bronchi

Answer 8

The main branches of the airway that conduct air to and from each lung

Question 9

Bronchioles

Answer 9

Small airways made of smooth muscle that lead to the alveoli

Question 10

Bronchoconstriction

Answer 10

Constriction of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles, resulting in decreased airway diameter

Question 11

Carina

Answer 11

The point where the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi

Question 12

Cricoid Cartilage

Answer 12

The signet ring-shaped cartilaginous structure between the thyroid cartilage and the trachea

Question 13

Cricothyroid Membrane

Answer 13

The thin membrane between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage

Question 14

Epiglottis

Answer 14

The leaf-shapped flap located between the base of the tongue and the glottic opening, which prevents food and liquid from entering the lower airway

Question 15

Glossoepiglottic Ligament

Answer 15

The ligament between the tongue and the epiglottis

Question 16

Glottis

Answer 16

The opening into the airway between the vocal cords, also known as the glottic opening

Question 17

Hyoid Bone

Answer 17

The small horeshoe-shapped bone to which major upper airway structures are attached

Question 18

Hypoepiglottic Ligament

Answer 18

The ligament between the hyoid bone and the epiglottis

Question 19

Hypopharynx

Answer 19

The inferior-most region of the pharynx located behind the larynx, also known as the laryngopharynx

Question 20

Laryngeal Prominence

Answer 20

The Adam’s apple, formed by the thyroid cartilage

Question 21

Laryngopharynx

Answer 21

The inferior-most region of the pharynx located behind the larynx, also known as the hypopharynx

Question 22

Laryngospasm

Answer 22

Spasmodic closure of the vocal cords

Question 23

Larynx

Answer 23

A complex structure formed by the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, the cricoid cartilage, the arytenoid cartilage, the corniculate cartilage, and the cuneiform cartilage

Question 24

Lingual Tonsils

Answer 24

Paired tonsils located at the base of the tongue

Question 25

Nares / Nostrils, Nasopharynx

Answer 25

The superior-most portion of the pharynx, located behind the nasal passages

Question 26

Oral Cavity

Answer 26

The mouth

Question 27

Oropharynx

Answer 27

The region of the pharynx located behind the oral cavity

Question 28

Palate

Answer 28

The roof of the mouth

Question 29

Palate, hard

Answer 29

The anterior three-fourths of the roof of the mouth, formed by the maxilla and palatine bones

Question 30

Palate, soft

Answer 30

The posterior one-quarter of the palate that is composed of soft tissue

Question 31

Palatine Tonsils

Answer 31

Paired lymphatic tissues that lie on the lateral walls of the platoglossal arch, and anterior to the palatopharyngeal arch

Question 32

Palatoglossal Arch

Answer 32

The posterior border of the oral cavity

Question 33

Palatopharyngeal Arch

Answer 33

The entrance from the oral cavity into the pharynx

Question 34

Paranasal Sinuses

Answer 34

The frontal and maxillary sinuses

Question 35

Pharyngeal Tonsil

Answer 35

Single tonsil located on the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, which is also known as the adenoid

Question 36

Pharynx

Answer 36

The throat

Question 37

Pyriform Fossae

Answer 37

Hollow pockets on the lateral sides of the glottic opening

Question 38

Submental Triangle

Answer 38

The block of tissue under the jaw

Question 39

Surfactant

Answer 39

The proteinaceous substance that lines the inside of the alveoli and allows for easy expansion and recoil of the alveoli

Question 40

Thyroepiglottic Ligament

Answer 40

The attachment of the thyroid cartilage to the epiglottis

Question 41

Thyroid Cartilage

Answer 41

The shield-shaped cartilaginous structure that forms the laryngeal border

Question 42

Uvula

Answer 42

The piece of soft tissue that extends into the palatoglossal arch

Question 43

Vallecula

Answer 43

The anatomic space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis

Question 44

Valsalva Maneuver

Answer 44

Straining against a closed glottis

Question 45

Vocal Cords

Answer 45

The fibrous bands of tissue that vibrate to create speech