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BIO 202L LAB 13 WORKSHEET RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
2026/2027 | Pulmonary Anatomy & Physiology |
Comprehensive Lab Assessment | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Section 1: Upper Respiratory Tract Anatomy (Q1-12)
Q1. Which paired bones form the superior portion of the nasal septum? A. The
vomer and the palatine bones B. The maxillae and the lacrimal bones C. The
perpendicular plate of the ethmoid and the vomer [CORRECT] D. The nasal bones
and the inferior nasal conchae
Rationale: The nasal septum is formed superiorly by the perpendicular plate of the
ethmoid bone and inferiorly by the vomer, dividing the nasal cavity into left and right
chambers. Clinical correlation: A deviated septum commonly involves displacement
of these cartilaginous and bony structures.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. The nasal vestibule is lined by which type of epithelium? A. Pseudostratified
ciliated columnar epithelium B. Simple squamous epithelium C. Stratified squamous
epithelium with vibrissae (nasal hairs) [CORRECT] D. Transitional epithelium
Rationale: The nasal vestibule contains coarse vibrissae that filter incoming air and is
lined by stratified squamous epithelium, unlike the respiratory region deeper in the
nasal cavity. Clinical correlation: Nasal vestibulitis often involves infection of the hair
follicles in this region.
Correct Answer: C
Q3. A 28-year-old patient presents with chronic sinusitis localized to the frontal sinus.
Through which structure does this sinus primarily drain? A. The sphenoethmoidal
recess B. The superior meatus C. The semilunar hiatus of the middle meatus
[CORRECT] D. The inferior meatus
Rationale: The frontal sinus drains via the frontonasal duct into the semilunar hiatus,
which opens into the middle meatus beneath the middle nasal concha. Clinical
correlation: Inflammation or anatomical obstruction in the middle meatus can impair
drainage and precipitate sinusitis.
,2
Correct Answer: C
Q4. The olfactory epithelium is located in which region of the nasal cavity? A. The
inferior meatus along the floor of the nasal cavity B. The vestibule near the external
nares C. The roof of the nasal cavity and the superior nasal concha [CORRECT] D.
The region of the middle meatus adjacent to the maxillary ostium
Rationale: The olfactory epithelium, containing bipolar olfactory neurons (CN I),
resides on the superior nasal concha and the nasal roof in the olfactory region.
Clinical correlation: Trauma to the cribriform plate can shear olfactory axons and
cause anosmia.
Correct Answer: C
Q5. During your histology lab, you observe a respiratory epithelium specimen with
goblet cells and cilia. Which function is primarily served by the cilia in this tissue? A.
Secretion of surfactant to reduce surface tension B. Phagocytosis of inhaled
particulate matter C. Propulsion of mucus toward the pharynx via the mucociliary
escalator [CORRECT] D. Detection of chemical odorants in inspired air
Rationale: Cilia on pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium beat in coordinated
waves to move mucus and trapped particles toward the pharynx for swallowing,
constituting the mucociliary escalator. Clinical correlation: In cystic fibrosis, thickened
mucus overwhelms this clearance mechanism, leading to recurrent infections.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. Which paranasal sinus is located within the body of the sphenoid bone? A. The
frontal sinus B. The maxillary sinus C. The sphenoidal sinus [CORRECT] D. The
ethmoidal sinus
Rationale: The sphenoidal sinus lies within the body of the sphenoid bone, posterior
to the ethmoidal sinuses, and drains into the sphenoethmoidal recess. Clinical
correlation: Pituitary surgery may be performed transsphenoidally through this sinus.
Correct Answer: C
Q7. A 16-year-old patient has enlarged adenoids obstructing the nasopharyngeal
airway. Which tonsil is affected? A. The palatine tonsil B. The lingual tonsil C. The
pharyngeal tonsil [CORRECT] D. The tubal tonsil
, 3
Rationale: The pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid) is an aggregation of lymphoid tissue
located on the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx; hypertrophy can obstruct
the choanae and auditory tube openings. Clinical correlation: Adenoid hypertrophy is
a common cause of otitis media and sleep-disordered breathing in children.
Correct Answer: C
Q8. The auditory (pharyngotympanic) tube opens into which pharyngeal region? A.
The oropharynx at the level of the palatine tonsils B. The laryngopharynx posterior to
the larynx C. The nasopharynx lateral to the pharyngeal tonsil [CORRECT] D. The oral
cavity anterior to the soft palate
Rationale: The auditory tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, opening
on the lateral wall approximately 1 cm posterior to the inferior nasal concha. Clinical
correlation: Pathogens can ascend through this tube to cause otitis media, especially
in children with shorter, more horizontal tubes.
Correct Answer: C
Q9. A patient undergoing tonsillectomy has tissue removed from the lateral walls of
the oropharynx between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches. Which tonsil
was removed? A. The pharyngeal tonsil B. The lingual tonsil C. The palatine tonsil
[CORRECT] D. The tubal tonsil
Rationale: The palatine tonsils are located in the tonsillar fossa between the
palatoglossal arch (anterior) and palatopharyngeal arch (posterior) on the lateral
oropharyngeal walls. Clinical correlation: Recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis is a
common indication for palatine tonsillectomy.
Correct Answer: C
Q10. Which structure forms the most inferior portion of the pharynx and serves as a
common passageway for both food and air? A. The nasopharynx B. The oropharynx
C. The laryngopharynx [CORRECT] D. The hypopharynx (this is a distractor;
laryngopharynx is correct)
Rationale: The laryngopharynx extends from the hyoid bone to the esophagus, lying
posterior to the larynx, and is the common pathway for both swallowed food and
inspired air before they diverge. Clinical correlation: Zenker diverticulum can develop
in the posterior laryngopharyngeal wall through Killian's dehiscence.
BIO 202L LAB 13 WORKSHEET RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
2026/2027 | Pulmonary Anatomy & Physiology |
Comprehensive Lab Assessment | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Section 1: Upper Respiratory Tract Anatomy (Q1-12)
Q1. Which paired bones form the superior portion of the nasal septum? A. The
vomer and the palatine bones B. The maxillae and the lacrimal bones C. The
perpendicular plate of the ethmoid and the vomer [CORRECT] D. The nasal bones
and the inferior nasal conchae
Rationale: The nasal septum is formed superiorly by the perpendicular plate of the
ethmoid bone and inferiorly by the vomer, dividing the nasal cavity into left and right
chambers. Clinical correlation: A deviated septum commonly involves displacement
of these cartilaginous and bony structures.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. The nasal vestibule is lined by which type of epithelium? A. Pseudostratified
ciliated columnar epithelium B. Simple squamous epithelium C. Stratified squamous
epithelium with vibrissae (nasal hairs) [CORRECT] D. Transitional epithelium
Rationale: The nasal vestibule contains coarse vibrissae that filter incoming air and is
lined by stratified squamous epithelium, unlike the respiratory region deeper in the
nasal cavity. Clinical correlation: Nasal vestibulitis often involves infection of the hair
follicles in this region.
Correct Answer: C
Q3. A 28-year-old patient presents with chronic sinusitis localized to the frontal sinus.
Through which structure does this sinus primarily drain? A. The sphenoethmoidal
recess B. The superior meatus C. The semilunar hiatus of the middle meatus
[CORRECT] D. The inferior meatus
Rationale: The frontal sinus drains via the frontonasal duct into the semilunar hiatus,
which opens into the middle meatus beneath the middle nasal concha. Clinical
correlation: Inflammation or anatomical obstruction in the middle meatus can impair
drainage and precipitate sinusitis.
,2
Correct Answer: C
Q4. The olfactory epithelium is located in which region of the nasal cavity? A. The
inferior meatus along the floor of the nasal cavity B. The vestibule near the external
nares C. The roof of the nasal cavity and the superior nasal concha [CORRECT] D.
The region of the middle meatus adjacent to the maxillary ostium
Rationale: The olfactory epithelium, containing bipolar olfactory neurons (CN I),
resides on the superior nasal concha and the nasal roof in the olfactory region.
Clinical correlation: Trauma to the cribriform plate can shear olfactory axons and
cause anosmia.
Correct Answer: C
Q5. During your histology lab, you observe a respiratory epithelium specimen with
goblet cells and cilia. Which function is primarily served by the cilia in this tissue? A.
Secretion of surfactant to reduce surface tension B. Phagocytosis of inhaled
particulate matter C. Propulsion of mucus toward the pharynx via the mucociliary
escalator [CORRECT] D. Detection of chemical odorants in inspired air
Rationale: Cilia on pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium beat in coordinated
waves to move mucus and trapped particles toward the pharynx for swallowing,
constituting the mucociliary escalator. Clinical correlation: In cystic fibrosis, thickened
mucus overwhelms this clearance mechanism, leading to recurrent infections.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. Which paranasal sinus is located within the body of the sphenoid bone? A. The
frontal sinus B. The maxillary sinus C. The sphenoidal sinus [CORRECT] D. The
ethmoidal sinus
Rationale: The sphenoidal sinus lies within the body of the sphenoid bone, posterior
to the ethmoidal sinuses, and drains into the sphenoethmoidal recess. Clinical
correlation: Pituitary surgery may be performed transsphenoidally through this sinus.
Correct Answer: C
Q7. A 16-year-old patient has enlarged adenoids obstructing the nasopharyngeal
airway. Which tonsil is affected? A. The palatine tonsil B. The lingual tonsil C. The
pharyngeal tonsil [CORRECT] D. The tubal tonsil
, 3
Rationale: The pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid) is an aggregation of lymphoid tissue
located on the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx; hypertrophy can obstruct
the choanae and auditory tube openings. Clinical correlation: Adenoid hypertrophy is
a common cause of otitis media and sleep-disordered breathing in children.
Correct Answer: C
Q8. The auditory (pharyngotympanic) tube opens into which pharyngeal region? A.
The oropharynx at the level of the palatine tonsils B. The laryngopharynx posterior to
the larynx C. The nasopharynx lateral to the pharyngeal tonsil [CORRECT] D. The oral
cavity anterior to the soft palate
Rationale: The auditory tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, opening
on the lateral wall approximately 1 cm posterior to the inferior nasal concha. Clinical
correlation: Pathogens can ascend through this tube to cause otitis media, especially
in children with shorter, more horizontal tubes.
Correct Answer: C
Q9. A patient undergoing tonsillectomy has tissue removed from the lateral walls of
the oropharynx between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches. Which tonsil
was removed? A. The pharyngeal tonsil B. The lingual tonsil C. The palatine tonsil
[CORRECT] D. The tubal tonsil
Rationale: The palatine tonsils are located in the tonsillar fossa between the
palatoglossal arch (anterior) and palatopharyngeal arch (posterior) on the lateral
oropharyngeal walls. Clinical correlation: Recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis is a
common indication for palatine tonsillectomy.
Correct Answer: C
Q10. Which structure forms the most inferior portion of the pharynx and serves as a
common passageway for both food and air? A. The nasopharynx B. The oropharynx
C. The laryngopharynx [CORRECT] D. The hypopharynx (this is a distractor;
laryngopharynx is correct)
Rationale: The laryngopharynx extends from the hyoid bone to the esophagus, lying
posterior to the larynx, and is the common pathway for both swallowed food and
inspired air before they diverge. Clinical correlation: Zenker diverticulum can develop
in the posterior laryngopharyngeal wall through Killian's dehiscence.
