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Questions and Answers
What structure is primarily responsible for preventing food aspiration into the larynx?
Which part of the pharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity and superior to the soft palate?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the larynx?
Which paired cartilages in the larynx assist in the movement of the vocal cords?
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Which epithelium lines the oral cavity?
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What is one of the main functions of the upper airway?
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Which structures form the nasal septum?
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What is the primary role of the tongue in the oral cavity?
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What primarily forms the hard palate of the mouth?
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Which types of skeletal muscle fibers are responsible for changing the shape of the tongue?
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What separates the nasal cavity into two equal parts?
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What muscle elevates the soft palate to close off the opening between the nasal cavity and oropharynx?
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Which part of the nose is primarily made up of cartilage?
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Study Notes
Upper Airway
- The upper airway consists of the nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx
- Its functions include conducting air, humidifying and cooling air, preventing foreign materials from entering the respiratory system, and assisting with speech and smell.
Nose
- The nose filters and humidifies air
- It houses the olfactory receptors, which detect smells.
The Nose: Outer Portion
- Composed of cartilage and bone.
The Nose: Upper Part of the Nose Bridge
- Formed by the nasal bones and the frontal process of the maxilla.
The Nose: Lower Part of the Nose
- Consists of lateral nasal cartilage, greater alar cartilage, lesser alar cartilage, septal cartilage, and fibrous fatty tissue.
The Nose: Internal Portion
- The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into two equal parts.
- Posteriorly, the septum is formed by the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and the vomer.
- Anteriorly, it's formed by the septal cartilage.
- The roof of the nasal cavity is formed by the nasal bones, the frontal process of the maxilla, and the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
- The floor of the nasal cavity is formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and the palatine bones.
- The posterior section of the nasal cavity floor is formed by the superior portion of the soft palate of the oral cavity.
- Air enters through the nares (nostrils), which are formed by the septal cartilage and the alae nasi.
Oral Cavity
- Composed of a vestibule (outer portion) between the teeth and gums and lips.
- A larger section behind the teeth and gums extends to the oropharynx.
- The tongue is located on the floor of the oral cavity and is composed of skeletal muscles and fibers.
- Intrinsic skeletal muscle fibers change the shape of the tongue, aiding in speech and swallowing.
- Extrinsic skeletal muscle fibers allow for changes in tongue position, like protruding outward and inward, and moving side to side.
- The lingual frenulum secures the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
- Papillae on the tongue contain taste buds.
- The roof of the mouth is formed by the hard and soft palate.
- The hard palate is formed by the palatine process of the maxilla and palatine bones.
- The soft palate is a flexible, fleshy structure composed of densely packed collagen fibers.
- It closes off the opening between the nasal and oropharynx.
- The levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate.
- The palatopharyngeal muscles draw the soft palate forward and down.
- The oral cavity is lined with stratified squamous epithelium.
Palatine Arches
- The palatopharyngeal arch and the palatoglossal arch form the two arches in the oral cavity.
- The palatine tonsil is located on each side of the oral cavity, situated between the palatine arches.
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. It contains the adenoid (pharyngeal tonsil) posterior to the nasopharynx.
- Oropharynx: Between the soft palate, superior to the base of the tongue, and inferiorly to the level of the hyoid bone. It contains the palatine tonsils and the vallecula epiglottica, which is located between the glossoepiglottic folds.
- Laryngopharynx (hypo): Between the base of the tongue, inferiorly to the level of the hyoid bone. It contains the aryepiglottic folds (mucous membrane folds).
Larynx
- The voice box is located between the base of the tongue and the trachea.
- It acts as a passageway for air from the pharynx to the trachea, provides protection, and generates sound.
- The larynx contains nine cartilages:
- Single: Thyroid, Cricoid, Epiglottis
- Paired: Arytenoid, Corniculate, Cuneiform
- These cartilages are held together by ligaments and intrinsic and extrinsic muscles.
- The epiglottis is a spoon-shaped structure that covers the entrance of the larynx.
- It prevents food aspiration and is connected to the base of the tongue via the vallecula.
- The cricoid cartilage is narrow in adults, creating a point of pressure.
- The arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages help with the movement of the vocal cords.
- The epiglottis prevents aspiration.
Membranes
- The thyrohyoid membrane forms the roof of the larynx.
- This is the narrowest part of the larynx.
- The cricothyroid membrane forms the floor of the larynx.
Vocal Folds
- Vocal folds (true and false vocal cords) are formed by mucous membranes.
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Description
This quiz explores the anatomy and functions of the upper airway, specifically focusing on the nose. It covers the structure of the nose, including its outer and internal portions, as well as its role in filtering air and housing olfactory receptors. Test your knowledge on the components that make up this vital part of the respiratory system.