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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the epiglottis?
What is the primary function of the epiglottis?
Which section of the pharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity?
Which section of the pharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the larynx?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the larynx?
What type of epithelium lines the oral cavity?
What type of epithelium lines the oral cavity?
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Which of the following structures is located between the palatine arches?
Which of the following structures is located between the palatine arches?
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What structures form the nasal septum anteriorly?
What structures form the nasal septum anteriorly?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the upper airway?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the upper airway?
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Which part of the nose forms the roof of the nasal cavity?
Which part of the nose forms the roof of the nasal cavity?
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Which muscles are responsible for elevating the soft palate?
Which muscles are responsible for elevating the soft palate?
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What is the main function of the oral cavity?
What is the main function of the oral cavity?
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What type of cartilage is found in the anterior part of the nasal septum?
What type of cartilage is found in the anterior part of the nasal septum?
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Which structure is involved in the sense of smell within the nasal cavity?
Which structure is involved in the sense of smell within the nasal cavity?
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Which component is part of the larger structure of the oral cavity?
Which component is part of the larger structure of the oral cavity?
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Study Notes
The Upper Airway
- Consists of the nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
- Functions include:
- Air conduction
- Air humidification and cooling
- Prevention of foreign material entry
- Speech and smell involvement
The Nose
- Filters and humidifies air
- Helps with sense of smell
The Nose: Outer Portion
- Composed of cartilage and bone
The Nose: Upper Part of the Nose Bridge
- Formed by the nasal bones and frontal process of the maxilla
The Nose: Lower Part of the Nose
- Composed of lateral, greater alar, lesser alar, septal cartilage, and fibrous fatty tissue
The Nose: Internal Portion
- The nasal septum separates the nasal cavity into two equal parts
- Posteriorly formed by the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and vomer
- Anteriorly formed by the septal cartilage
- The roof is formed by:
- Nasal bones
- Frontal process of the maxilla
- Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone
- The floor is formed by:
- Palatine process of the maxilla and palatine bones
- Posterior section of the nasal cavity floor is formed by the superior portion of the soft palate (collagen)
- Air enters through the:
- Septal cartilage and alae nasi (nares or nostrils)
The Oral Cavity
- Contains a vestibule (outer portion between teeth, gums, and lips) and a larger section behind the teeth and gums extending to the oropharynx
- The tongue is located on the floor of the oral cavity and is composed of:
- Skeletal muscles and fibers
- Intrinsic muscle fibers: change tongue shape, aid in speech and swallowing
- Extrinsic muscle fibers: change tongue position (protrude, side to side, etc.)
- Lingual frenulum: secures the tongue to the floor of the mouth
- Papillae: house taste buds
- Skeletal muscles and fibers
- The roof of the mouth is formed by a hard plate and soft plate:
- Hard plate: formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and palatine bones
-
Soft palate: a flexible, fleshy structure of densely packed collagen fibers that closes the opening between the nasal and oropharynx
- Elevated by the levator veli palatini muscle
- Drawn forward and down by the palatopharyngeal muscles
- The oral cavity is lined with stratified squamous epithelium
- Palatine arches:
- Palatopharyngeal arch
- Palatoglossal arch
- The palatine tonsil is located on each side of the oral cavity between the palatine arches
The Pharynx
- Inhaled air passes from the nasal cavity to the pharynx
- The pharynx is divided into three parts:
-
Nasopharynx: posterior to the nasal cavity, superior to the soft palate
- Contains the adenoid (pharyngeal tonsil)
-
Oropharynx: between the soft palate, superior to the base of the tongue, inferiorly to the level of the hyoid bone
- Contains the palatine tonsils and the vallecula epiglottica (between the glossoepiglottic folds)
-
Laryngopharynx (hypo): between the base of the tongue, inferiorly to the level of the hyoid bone
- Contains the aryepiglottic folds (mucous membrane folds)
-
Nasopharynx: posterior to the nasal cavity, superior to the soft palate
The Larynx
- Also known as the voice box
- Located between the base of the tongue and the trachea
- Functions as a passageway for air from the pharynx to the trachea, provides protection, generates sound
- Contains nine cartilages:
- Single: thyroid, cricoid, epiglottis
- Paired: arytenoid, corniculate, cuneiform
- Held together by ligaments and intrinsic and extrinsic muscles
- The epiglottis is spoon-shaped and covers the entrance of the larynx to prevent food aspiration
- Connected to the base of the tongue via the vallecula
- The cricoid has a narrow pressure point in adults
- Arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages aid in the movement of vocal cords
-
Membranes:
- Thyrohyoid: roof, narrowest part
- Cricothyroid: floor of the larynx
- Vocal folds (formed by mucous membrane):
- True vocal folds: involved in sound production
- False vocal folds: not involved in sound production
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Description
Explore the structure and functions of the upper airway, including the nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. This quiz covers the components of the nose, air filtration, and the role of the upper airway in speech and smell. Test your knowledge on this essential aspect of human anatomy.
