BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
w/Lab Module 5 Exam: Respiratory System
100 Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Rationales
SECTION A: Overview and Anatomy of the Respiratory System
(Questions 1-25)
1. The primary function of the respiratory system is to:
A) Transport nutrients to tissues
B) Exchange gases between the atmosphere and the blood
C) Regulate body temperature
D) Produce digestive enzymes
Correct Answer: B) Exchange gases between the atmosphere and
the blood
Expert Rationale: The primary function of the respiratory system is
gas exchange—supplying oxygen to the blood and removing carbon
dioxide from the blood. This process is essential for cellular
respiration and maintaining acid-base balance .
2. The process of moving air into and out of the lungs is called:
A) External respiration
B) Internal respiration
,C) Ventilation
D) Cellular respiration
Correct Answer: C) Ventilation
Expert Rationale: Ventilation (pulmonary ventilation) is the
mechanical process of moving air into (inspiration) and out of
(expiration) the lungs. External respiration is gas exchange between
alveoli and blood, internal respiration is gas exchange between blood
and tissues, and cellular respiration is the use of oxygen by cells to
produce ATP .
3. Which of the following structures is part of the upper respiratory
tract?
A) Trachea
B) Bronchi
C) Pharynx
D) Lungs
Correct Answer: C) Pharynx
Expert Rationale: The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal
cavity, pharynx, and larynx. The lower respiratory tract includes the
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs .
4. The nasal cavity is lined with which type of epithelium?
,A) Simple squamous epithelium
B) Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
C) Stratified squamous epithelium
D) Simple cuboidal epithelium
Correct Answer: B) Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Expert Rationale: The nasal cavity and most of the respiratory tract
are lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
(respiratory epithelium). This epithelium contains goblet cells that
secrete mucus and cilia that move mucus toward the pharynx
(mucociliary escalator) .
5. The pharynx is divided into three regions. Which is the correct
order from superior to inferior?
A) Oropharynx → Nasopharynx → Laryngopharynx
B) Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx
C) Laryngopharynx → Oropharynx → Nasopharynx
D) Nasopharynx → Laryngopharynx → Oropharynx
Correct Answer: B) Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx
Expert Rationale: The pharynx consists of three regions: the
nasopharynx (superior, behind the nasal cavity), the oropharynx
(middle, behind the oral cavity), and the laryngopharynx (inferior,
leading to the larynx and esophagus) .
6. The opening between the vocal folds is called the:
, A) Glottis
B) Epiglottis
C) Arytenoid cartilage
D) Cricoid cartilage
Correct Answer: A) Glottis
Expert Rationale: The glottis is the opening between the vocal folds
(true vocal cords). The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the
glottis during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea .
7. Which cartilage forms the Adam's apple?
A) Cricoid cartilage
B) Arytenoid cartilage
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Epiglottis
Correct Answer: C) Thyroid cartilage
Expert Rationale: The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal
cartilage and forms the anterior prominence known as the Adam's
apple. The cricoid cartilage is the ring-shaped cartilage below the
thyroid, and the epiglottis covers the glottis during swallowing .
8. The trachea is held open by:
A) Smooth muscle
B) C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage
w/Lab Module 5 Exam: Respiratory System
100 Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Rationales
SECTION A: Overview and Anatomy of the Respiratory System
(Questions 1-25)
1. The primary function of the respiratory system is to:
A) Transport nutrients to tissues
B) Exchange gases between the atmosphere and the blood
C) Regulate body temperature
D) Produce digestive enzymes
Correct Answer: B) Exchange gases between the atmosphere and
the blood
Expert Rationale: The primary function of the respiratory system is
gas exchange—supplying oxygen to the blood and removing carbon
dioxide from the blood. This process is essential for cellular
respiration and maintaining acid-base balance .
2. The process of moving air into and out of the lungs is called:
A) External respiration
B) Internal respiration
,C) Ventilation
D) Cellular respiration
Correct Answer: C) Ventilation
Expert Rationale: Ventilation (pulmonary ventilation) is the
mechanical process of moving air into (inspiration) and out of
(expiration) the lungs. External respiration is gas exchange between
alveoli and blood, internal respiration is gas exchange between blood
and tissues, and cellular respiration is the use of oxygen by cells to
produce ATP .
3. Which of the following structures is part of the upper respiratory
tract?
A) Trachea
B) Bronchi
C) Pharynx
D) Lungs
Correct Answer: C) Pharynx
Expert Rationale: The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal
cavity, pharynx, and larynx. The lower respiratory tract includes the
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs .
4. The nasal cavity is lined with which type of epithelium?
,A) Simple squamous epithelium
B) Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
C) Stratified squamous epithelium
D) Simple cuboidal epithelium
Correct Answer: B) Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Expert Rationale: The nasal cavity and most of the respiratory tract
are lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
(respiratory epithelium). This epithelium contains goblet cells that
secrete mucus and cilia that move mucus toward the pharynx
(mucociliary escalator) .
5. The pharynx is divided into three regions. Which is the correct
order from superior to inferior?
A) Oropharynx → Nasopharynx → Laryngopharynx
B) Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx
C) Laryngopharynx → Oropharynx → Nasopharynx
D) Nasopharynx → Laryngopharynx → Oropharynx
Correct Answer: B) Nasopharynx → Oropharynx → Laryngopharynx
Expert Rationale: The pharynx consists of three regions: the
nasopharynx (superior, behind the nasal cavity), the oropharynx
(middle, behind the oral cavity), and the laryngopharynx (inferior,
leading to the larynx and esophagus) .
6. The opening between the vocal folds is called the:
, A) Glottis
B) Epiglottis
C) Arytenoid cartilage
D) Cricoid cartilage
Correct Answer: A) Glottis
Expert Rationale: The glottis is the opening between the vocal folds
(true vocal cords). The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the
glottis during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea .
7. Which cartilage forms the Adam's apple?
A) Cricoid cartilage
B) Arytenoid cartilage
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Epiglottis
Correct Answer: C) Thyroid cartilage
Expert Rationale: The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal
cartilage and forms the anterior prominence known as the Adam's
apple. The cricoid cartilage is the ring-shaped cartilage below the
thyroid, and the epiglottis covers the glottis during swallowing .
8. The trachea is held open by:
A) Smooth muscle
B) C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage
