BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab | Module 5 Exam Review
The Respiratory System - 350+ Complete Questions with Answers &
Explanations (100% Verified) | 2026/2027
ANATOMY OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
1. Which of the following is NOT a function of the respiratory system?
A. Gas exchange between air and blood
B. Regulation of blood pH
C. Production of digestive enzymes
D. Olfaction (sense of smell)
E. Protection against pathogens
Answer: C. Production of digestive enzymes is a function of the digestive system, not the respiratory system. The
respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange, pH regulation, voice production, olfaction, and immune
defense.
2. Which structure is shared by both the respiratory and digestive systems?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. The oropharynx and laryngopharynx are shared by both the respiratory and digestive systems. The
nasopharynx serves only as an air passageway.
3. Identify the highlighted structure labeled "B" in the diagram:
A. Trachea
B. Nasopharynx
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Oropharynx
Answer: B. The nasopharynx is the region of the pharynx at the back of the nose. It serves only as an air
passageway and contains the pharyngeal tonsils.
4. Identify the highlighted structure labeled "C":
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,A. Trachea
B. Nasopharynx
C. Oropharynx
D. Laryngopharynx
Answer: C. The oropharynx is the area directly behind the mouth and serves as part of both the digestive and
respiratory systems.
5. Identify the highlighted structure labeled "D":
A. Laryngopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Nasopharynx
D. Larynx
Answer: A. The laryngopharynx is the third division of the pharynx, shared by both the respiratory and digestive
systems. It extends from the hyoid bone to the esophagus.
6. What structure is labeled "M" in the respiratory system diagram?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Nasal conchae
C. Cricoid cartilage
D. Epiglottis
Answer: B. The nasal conchae (superior, middle, and inferior) are bony projections in the nasal cavity that
increase surface area and create turbulent airflow for warming, humidifying, and filtering incoming air .
7. The paranasal sinuses are:
A. Air sacs in the lungs
B. Air-containing cavities in the bones around the nose
C. Membranes surrounding the lungs
D. Airways connecting bronchioles to alveoli
Answer: B. Paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose. The four pairs include frontal,
sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary sinuses. They lighten the skull, warm and humidify air, and affect voice
resonance.
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,8. Identify the highlighted area of the larynx:
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage
C. Epiglottis
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C. The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that seals off the windpipe during swallowing, preventing
food and liquid from entering the trachea. It is attached to the thyroid cartilage.
9. Which structure forms the "Adam's apple"?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Thyroid cartilage
C. Epiglottis
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: B. The thyroid cartilage is the wing-shaped plate of cartilage that sits anterior to the larynx. The
prominent anterior projection forms the "Adam's apple," which is more visible in males due to hormonal
influences.
10. Identify the ring-shaped cartilage at the base of the larynx:
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Cricoid cartilage
D. Tracheal cartilage
Answer: C. The cricoid cartilage is a firm ridge of cartilage forming the inferior part of the larynx. It is the only
cartilage that forms a complete ring around the airway and is a landmark for emergency airway procedures.
11. Branched airways that lead from the trachea to the alveoli are called:
A. Bronchioles
B. Bronchi
C. Alveolar ducts
D. Alveolar sacs
Answer: A. Bronchioles are small, branching airways that lead from the bronchi to the alveoli. There are
approximately 10 bronchioles on the right side and 8-10 on the left, each subdividing further into terminal
bronchioles.
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, 12. Identify the structure where the arrow points:
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Trachea
D. Alveoli
Answer: B. Bronchioles are smaller branches of the bronchi that lack cartilage and are composed of smooth
muscle. Their diameter is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, affecting airflow resistance .
13. The trachea is also known as the:
A. Windpipe
B. Voice box
C. Throat
D. Esophagus
Answer: A. The trachea (windpipe) is a passageway for air to the bronchi from the larynx. It is reinforced by C-
shaped cartilage rings that keep the airway open while allowing food to pass through the esophagus behind it .
14. Alveolar ducts are best described as:
A. Airways leading to alveolar sacs
B. Cartilage of the larynx
C. Airways of the trachea
D. Pleural membranes
Answer: A. Alveolar ducts are the final branches of the respiratory tree that lead to alveolar sacs and alveoli.
They have no cartilage and are lined with simple squamous epithelium for efficient gas exchange .
15. The right lung has how many lobes?
A. 1 lobe
B. 2 lobes
C. 3 lobes
D. 4 lobes
Answer: C. The right lung has three lobes: superior, middle, and inferior. The right lung is larger and shorter than
the left lung due to the liver's position beneath it .
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The Respiratory System - 350+ Complete Questions with Answers &
Explanations (100% Verified) | 2026/2027
ANATOMY OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
1. Which of the following is NOT a function of the respiratory system?
A. Gas exchange between air and blood
B. Regulation of blood pH
C. Production of digestive enzymes
D. Olfaction (sense of smell)
E. Protection against pathogens
Answer: C. Production of digestive enzymes is a function of the digestive system, not the respiratory system. The
respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange, pH regulation, voice production, olfaction, and immune
defense.
2. Which structure is shared by both the respiratory and digestive systems?
A. Nasopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. The oropharynx and laryngopharynx are shared by both the respiratory and digestive systems. The
nasopharynx serves only as an air passageway.
3. Identify the highlighted structure labeled "B" in the diagram:
A. Trachea
B. Nasopharynx
C. Laryngopharynx
D. Oropharynx
Answer: B. The nasopharynx is the region of the pharynx at the back of the nose. It serves only as an air
passageway and contains the pharyngeal tonsils.
4. Identify the highlighted structure labeled "C":
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,A. Trachea
B. Nasopharynx
C. Oropharynx
D. Laryngopharynx
Answer: C. The oropharynx is the area directly behind the mouth and serves as part of both the digestive and
respiratory systems.
5. Identify the highlighted structure labeled "D":
A. Laryngopharynx
B. Oropharynx
C. Nasopharynx
D. Larynx
Answer: A. The laryngopharynx is the third division of the pharynx, shared by both the respiratory and digestive
systems. It extends from the hyoid bone to the esophagus.
6. What structure is labeled "M" in the respiratory system diagram?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Nasal conchae
C. Cricoid cartilage
D. Epiglottis
Answer: B. The nasal conchae (superior, middle, and inferior) are bony projections in the nasal cavity that
increase surface area and create turbulent airflow for warming, humidifying, and filtering incoming air .
7. The paranasal sinuses are:
A. Air sacs in the lungs
B. Air-containing cavities in the bones around the nose
C. Membranes surrounding the lungs
D. Airways connecting bronchioles to alveoli
Answer: B. Paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose. The four pairs include frontal,
sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary sinuses. They lighten the skull, warm and humidify air, and affect voice
resonance.
2|Page SUCCESS!!!
,8. Identify the highlighted area of the larynx:
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage
C. Epiglottis
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: C. The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage that seals off the windpipe during swallowing, preventing
food and liquid from entering the trachea. It is attached to the thyroid cartilage.
9. Which structure forms the "Adam's apple"?
A. Cricoid cartilage
B. Thyroid cartilage
C. Epiglottis
D. Arytenoid cartilage
Answer: B. The thyroid cartilage is the wing-shaped plate of cartilage that sits anterior to the larynx. The
prominent anterior projection forms the "Adam's apple," which is more visible in males due to hormonal
influences.
10. Identify the ring-shaped cartilage at the base of the larynx:
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Cricoid cartilage
D. Tracheal cartilage
Answer: C. The cricoid cartilage is a firm ridge of cartilage forming the inferior part of the larynx. It is the only
cartilage that forms a complete ring around the airway and is a landmark for emergency airway procedures.
11. Branched airways that lead from the trachea to the alveoli are called:
A. Bronchioles
B. Bronchi
C. Alveolar ducts
D. Alveolar sacs
Answer: A. Bronchioles are small, branching airways that lead from the bronchi to the alveoli. There are
approximately 10 bronchioles on the right side and 8-10 on the left, each subdividing further into terminal
bronchioles.
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, 12. Identify the structure where the arrow points:
A. Bronchi
B. Bronchioles
C. Trachea
D. Alveoli
Answer: B. Bronchioles are smaller branches of the bronchi that lack cartilage and are composed of smooth
muscle. Their diameter is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, affecting airflow resistance .
13. The trachea is also known as the:
A. Windpipe
B. Voice box
C. Throat
D. Esophagus
Answer: A. The trachea (windpipe) is a passageway for air to the bronchi from the larynx. It is reinforced by C-
shaped cartilage rings that keep the airway open while allowing food to pass through the esophagus behind it .
14. Alveolar ducts are best described as:
A. Airways leading to alveolar sacs
B. Cartilage of the larynx
C. Airways of the trachea
D. Pleural membranes
Answer: A. Alveolar ducts are the final branches of the respiratory tree that lead to alveolar sacs and alveoli.
They have no cartilage and are lined with simple squamous epithelium for efficient gas exchange .
15. The right lung has how many lobes?
A. 1 lobe
B. 2 lobes
C. 3 lobes
D. 4 lobes
Answer: C. The right lung has three lobes: superior, middle, and inferior. The right lung is larger and shorter than
the left lung due to the liver's position beneath it .
4|Page SUCCESS!!!
