Nose and throat Flashcards
What is Waldeyer’s ring?
The mucosa of the posterior oropharynx covering a bed of lymphatic tissue that aggregates to form the palatine, lingual, pharyngeal, and tubal tonsils
The ring at the back of the throat
What are all the tonsils in the throat ?
4 pairs:
- Adenoid (on top)
- Tubal tonsil (below adenoid)
- Palatine tonsil (on the sides)
Lingual tonsil (at the bottomw)
Why is nose breathing more effective?
The diaphragm is used more which gets less tired than the accessory muscles used in mouth breathing
The nose humidifies the air better so you get less dehydrated compared to mouth breathing
The nose also filters the air you breathe, so less pathogens and dust go into your lungs
What is stertor?
Snoring
Both inspirator and expiratory
A sign of obstruction
What is stridor?
Inspiratory sound
Suggests obstruction of the upper airway
What is periorbital cellulitis?
When the infection from the nose moves through the lamina papracia and into the eye causing inflammation
Emergency treatment with antibiotics and nasal sprays/drainage because there is a risk to vision
What is glandular fever?
Affects older teenagers
Causes enlarged tonsils, lymph nodes, palatal haemorrhage, fever
Treated with steroids
What is the presentation on tonsilitis?
White pustules, fever, odynophagia, otalgia, tender neck nodes, may be septic
Why can’t people with glandular fever play contact sports?
Because of the risk of splenomegaly as a result of the activities
What is trismus?
Trouble opening the jaw because of inflammation of the muscles
Why is unilateral otalgia a red flag for head and neck cancer?
May be an early symptom
What are some symptoms of quinsy?
Trismus
Referred unilateral otalgia
Hot potato voice
When is a uvula truly not central?
When the whole uvula is on the side, not just the tip
The peritonsillar bit at the top of the mouth becomes inflamed
What are the symptoms of laryngitis?
Pain and hoarseness
What is supraglottitis?
AKA epiglottitis
Treated with steroids, nebulised adrenaline, antibiotics, and oxygen
May be drooling because no longer able to swallow saliva
May have stridor
Secure airway if severe
