Respiratory tract

Question 1

Paranasal sinuses

Answer 1

1) Frontal sinus
2) Ethmoid sinus
3) Sphenoid sinus
4) Maxillary sinus

Functions:

1) Lighten weight of skull
2) Support immune defences of nasal cavity
3) Act as crumple zone in event of facial trauma
4) Humidify inspired air
5) Resonance of voice

Question 2

Larynx

Answer 2

• C3-C6
• Functions:
  1) Prevent food entry into respiratory system
  2) Voice production (vibration of vocal cords)

Can be divided into:

1) Supraglottis (from inlet to false vocal cords)
2) Glottis (from false vocal cords to true vocal cords)
3) Infraglottis (from true vocal cords to 1st tracheal ring)

Question 3

Hyoid bone

Answer 3

• C3-C4
• Does not articulate with any other bone
• Surrounded by muscular tissue

Question 4

Thyroid cartilage

Answer 4

• C4-C5
• Laryngeal prominence (aka Adam’s apple)
• Suspended from hyoid bone by thyrohyoid membrane
• Articulates anteriorly with cricoid cartilage by thyrocricoid membrane

Question 5

Cricoid cartilage

Answer 5

• C5-C6
• Articulates with arytenoid cartilage (posteriorly)
• Acts as an attachment point for inferior horns of thyroid cartilage
• The only complete ring of cartilage in larynx/trachea

Question 6

Epiglottis

Answer 6

• Made up of elastic cartilage, surrounded by mucous membrane
• Larynx elevates so epiglottis can cover over laryngeal inlet and prevent entry of food

Question 7

Trachea

Answer 7

• Birfucates into primary bronchi at carina (T3 supine, T4 upright)
• Consists of 15-20 rings of hyaline cartilage
• Trachealis smooth muscle complete hyaline cartilage posteriorly

Question 8

Bronchi

Answer 8

-Food more likely to lodge into right primary bronchi (wider, more vertical)