BIOD 152 AP2 LAB 7 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Portage Learning | 25
Questions with Rationales | Complete Answer Key | Updated Lab Edition |
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Q1 (Diagram Labeling): Identify structures 1-10 on the respiratory system overview
diagram:
plainCopy
[Diagram Description: Sagittal section of head and anterior thorax
showing:
1 - External opening of nose
2 - Partition dividing nasal cavity
3 - Curved bony projections in nasal cavity
4 - Chamber behind nasal cavity and above soft palate
5 - Region behind oral cavity
6 - Cartilaginous structure anterior to esophagus
7 - Airway with C-shaped rings
8 - Branch entering right lung
9 - Serous membrane lining thoracic cavity
10 - Dome-shaped muscle separating thorax from abdomen]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Correct Answer:
1. Nares (nostrils/external nares) [CORRECT]
2. Nasal Septum [CORRECT]
3. Nasal Conchae (turbinates) [CORRECT]
4. Nasopharynx [CORRECT]
, 5. Oropharynx [CORRECT]
6. Larynx [CORRECT]
7. Trachea [CORRECT]
8. Right Primary (Main) Bronchus [CORRECT]
9. Parietal Pleura [CORRECT]
10. Diaphragm [CORRECT]
Rationale: This overview demonstrates the complete respiratory pathway from external
environment to lungs. Nares (1) are the external openings with vibrissae (hairs) filtering
air. The nasal septum (2) divides the nasal cavity into left and right sides, composed of
perpendicular plate of ethmoid, vomer, and septal cartilage. Nasal conchae (3) (superior,
middle, inferior) are scroll-like bones that increase surface area for warming,
humidifying, and filtering air; the superior concha contains olfactory epithelium. The
nasopharynx (4) is the superior pharyngeal region posterior to nasal cavity, containing
the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) and eustachian tube openings. The oropharynx (5) is
the middle pharyngeal region posterior to the oral cavity, bounded by the soft palate
superiorly and hyoid bone inferiorly, containing the palatine and lingual tonsils. The
larynx (6) is the voice box connecting pharynx to trachea, containing vocal folds and the
protective epiglottis. The trachea (7) is the windpipe with 16-20 C-shaped hyaline
cartilage rings (open posteriorly toward esophagus) providing rigid support while
allowing esophageal expansion during swallowing. The right primary bronchus (8) is
wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left, explaining why aspirated objects usually
enter the right lung. Parietal pleura (9) lines the thoracic wall, diaphragm, and
mediastinum; it reflects onto lung surfaces to become visceral pleura, with the pleural
cavity between them containing lubricating fluid. The diaphragm (10) is the primary
muscle of inspiration, innervated by the phrenic nerve (C3-C5); its contraction increases
thoracic volume, decreasing intrapulmonary pressure and drawing air in.
Q2 (Multiple Choice): Which structure is responsible for closing the laryngeal inlet
during swallowing to prevent aspiration?
,A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage
C. Epiglottis [CORRECT]
D. Arytenoid cartilages
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped elastic cartilage attached to the internal
surface of the thyroid cartilage and projecting superiorly behind the hyoid bone and
tongue base. During deglutition (swallowing), the larynx elevates (by suprahyoid
muscles), and the epiglottis inverts downward to cover the laryngeal inlet (aditus),
directing food and liquid into the pyriform recesses and esophagus. While not the sole
mechanism (laryngeal elevation and vocal fold adduction also contribute), the epiglottis
is the primary physical barrier. Distractor A (Thyroid cartilage) is the largest laryngeal
cartilage forming the Adam's apple/laryngeal prominence; it provides attachment for
epiglottis and vocal folds but does not close the airway. Distractor B (Cricoid cartilage)
is the only complete cartilaginous ring in the airway, located inferior to thyroid cartilage;
it provides attachment for arytenoids and all laryngeal muscles but does not move to
close the inlet. Distractor D (Arytenoid cartilages) are paired pyramidal cartilages on the
cricoid lamina that rotate and glide to adduct/abduct the vocal folds; they close the
glottis (vocal fold opening) but not the entire laryngeal inlet. Aspiration occurs if the
epiglottis fails to close (neurological disorders, anesthesia, rapid swallowing), causing
aspiration pneumonia.
Q3 (Histology Identification): Identify structures A-D on the tracheal histology
cross-section:
, plainCopy
[Histology Description: Trachea cross-section showing four distinct
layers:
A - Layer with hyaline cartilage, perichondrium, and smooth muscle
B - Layer with tall cells, goblet cells, and cilia visible on surface
C - Layer beneath B with loose connective tissue and blood vessels
D - Layer beneath C with mixed glands and adipose tissue]
A. _____________
B. _____________
C. _____________
D. _____________
Correct Answer:
A. Adventitia (outermost layer with hyaline cartilage rings, trachealis muscle)
[CORRECT]
B. Respiratory Epithelium (ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet
cells) [CORRECT]
C. Lamina Propria (loose connective tissue layer) [CORRECT]
D. Submucosa (dense connective tissue with seromucous glands) [CORRECT]
Rationale: The trachea has distinct histological layers characteristic of conducting
airways: Layer B is the mucosa specifically the respiratory epithelium—ciliated
pseudostratified columnar epithelium with interspersed goblet cells (unicellular glands
producing mucus) and basal cells (stem cells for regeneration). This epithelium
performs the mucociliary escalator: cilia beat toward the pharynx (13-15 Hz) moving
mucus-trapped particles (dust, pathogens) out of airways. Smoking paralyzes cilia and
Questions with Rationales | Complete Answer Key | Updated Lab Edition |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Q1 (Diagram Labeling): Identify structures 1-10 on the respiratory system overview
diagram:
plainCopy
[Diagram Description: Sagittal section of head and anterior thorax
showing:
1 - External opening of nose
2 - Partition dividing nasal cavity
3 - Curved bony projections in nasal cavity
4 - Chamber behind nasal cavity and above soft palate
5 - Region behind oral cavity
6 - Cartilaginous structure anterior to esophagus
7 - Airway with C-shaped rings
8 - Branch entering right lung
9 - Serous membrane lining thoracic cavity
10 - Dome-shaped muscle separating thorax from abdomen]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Correct Answer:
1. Nares (nostrils/external nares) [CORRECT]
2. Nasal Septum [CORRECT]
3. Nasal Conchae (turbinates) [CORRECT]
4. Nasopharynx [CORRECT]
, 5. Oropharynx [CORRECT]
6. Larynx [CORRECT]
7. Trachea [CORRECT]
8. Right Primary (Main) Bronchus [CORRECT]
9. Parietal Pleura [CORRECT]
10. Diaphragm [CORRECT]
Rationale: This overview demonstrates the complete respiratory pathway from external
environment to lungs. Nares (1) are the external openings with vibrissae (hairs) filtering
air. The nasal septum (2) divides the nasal cavity into left and right sides, composed of
perpendicular plate of ethmoid, vomer, and septal cartilage. Nasal conchae (3) (superior,
middle, inferior) are scroll-like bones that increase surface area for warming,
humidifying, and filtering air; the superior concha contains olfactory epithelium. The
nasopharynx (4) is the superior pharyngeal region posterior to nasal cavity, containing
the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) and eustachian tube openings. The oropharynx (5) is
the middle pharyngeal region posterior to the oral cavity, bounded by the soft palate
superiorly and hyoid bone inferiorly, containing the palatine and lingual tonsils. The
larynx (6) is the voice box connecting pharynx to trachea, containing vocal folds and the
protective epiglottis. The trachea (7) is the windpipe with 16-20 C-shaped hyaline
cartilage rings (open posteriorly toward esophagus) providing rigid support while
allowing esophageal expansion during swallowing. The right primary bronchus (8) is
wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left, explaining why aspirated objects usually
enter the right lung. Parietal pleura (9) lines the thoracic wall, diaphragm, and
mediastinum; it reflects onto lung surfaces to become visceral pleura, with the pleural
cavity between them containing lubricating fluid. The diaphragm (10) is the primary
muscle of inspiration, innervated by the phrenic nerve (C3-C5); its contraction increases
thoracic volume, decreasing intrapulmonary pressure and drawing air in.
Q2 (Multiple Choice): Which structure is responsible for closing the laryngeal inlet
during swallowing to prevent aspiration?
,A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Cricoid cartilage
C. Epiglottis [CORRECT]
D. Arytenoid cartilages
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped elastic cartilage attached to the internal
surface of the thyroid cartilage and projecting superiorly behind the hyoid bone and
tongue base. During deglutition (swallowing), the larynx elevates (by suprahyoid
muscles), and the epiglottis inverts downward to cover the laryngeal inlet (aditus),
directing food and liquid into the pyriform recesses and esophagus. While not the sole
mechanism (laryngeal elevation and vocal fold adduction also contribute), the epiglottis
is the primary physical barrier. Distractor A (Thyroid cartilage) is the largest laryngeal
cartilage forming the Adam's apple/laryngeal prominence; it provides attachment for
epiglottis and vocal folds but does not close the airway. Distractor B (Cricoid cartilage)
is the only complete cartilaginous ring in the airway, located inferior to thyroid cartilage;
it provides attachment for arytenoids and all laryngeal muscles but does not move to
close the inlet. Distractor D (Arytenoid cartilages) are paired pyramidal cartilages on the
cricoid lamina that rotate and glide to adduct/abduct the vocal folds; they close the
glottis (vocal fold opening) but not the entire laryngeal inlet. Aspiration occurs if the
epiglottis fails to close (neurological disorders, anesthesia, rapid swallowing), causing
aspiration pneumonia.
Q3 (Histology Identification): Identify structures A-D on the tracheal histology
cross-section:
, plainCopy
[Histology Description: Trachea cross-section showing four distinct
layers:
A - Layer with hyaline cartilage, perichondrium, and smooth muscle
B - Layer with tall cells, goblet cells, and cilia visible on surface
C - Layer beneath B with loose connective tissue and blood vessels
D - Layer beneath C with mixed glands and adipose tissue]
A. _____________
B. _____________
C. _____________
D. _____________
Correct Answer:
A. Adventitia (outermost layer with hyaline cartilage rings, trachealis muscle)
[CORRECT]
B. Respiratory Epithelium (ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet
cells) [CORRECT]
C. Lamina Propria (loose connective tissue layer) [CORRECT]
D. Submucosa (dense connective tissue with seromucous glands) [CORRECT]
Rationale: The trachea has distinct histological layers characteristic of conducting
airways: Layer B is the mucosa specifically the respiratory epithelium—ciliated
pseudostratified columnar epithelium with interspersed goblet cells (unicellular glands
producing mucus) and basal cells (stem cells for regeneration). This epithelium
performs the mucociliary escalator: cilia beat toward the pharynx (13-15 Hz) moving
mucus-trapped particles (dust, pathogens) out of airways. Smoking paralyzes cilia and
