Which of the following accurately describes the carina? A) It is sensitive to irritation and triggers a cough reflex. B) It is located at the superior aspect of the trachea. C) It... Which of the following accurately describes the carina? A) It is sensitive to irritation and triggers a cough reflex. B) It is located at the superior aspect of the trachea. C) It separates the left bronchus from the esophagus. D) It is a smooth muscle structure.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking which of the listed options correctly describes the carina, a structure in the respiratory system that is involved in the anatomy of the trachea and bronchi.
Answer
It is sensitive to irritation and triggers a cough reflex.
The final answer is: It is sensitive to irritation and triggers a cough reflex.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is: It is sensitive to irritation and triggers a cough reflex.
More Information
The carina is located at the bifurcation of the trachea where it splits into the left and right bronchi. It is highly sensitive to mechanical stimuli, and irritation can trigger the cough reflex, serving as an important respiratory defense mechanism.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume the carina is located at the superior aspect of the trachea, but it is actually at the bottom where the trachea divides into the bronchi.
Sources
- Airway Anatomy, Physiology, and Inflammation - PMC - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Trachea and Larynx - Physiopedia - physio-pedia.com
- Cough reflex - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
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