AIRWAY ANATOMY /PHYSIOLOGY (FISDAP PART 1) 2024-2025
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETED SOLUTIONS.
what is ventilation - Answer: - exchange of air bw lungs and environment
what is oxygenation - Answer: - the process of loading oxygen molecules onto hemoglobin
molecules in the blood stream
what is respiration - Answer: - the actual exchange of oxygen and co2 in the alveoli as well as the
tissues of the body
layrngopharynx splits into two lumens: - Answer: - larynx anteriorly esophagus posteriorly
what is the name of the passageway shared by the digestive and respiratory systems for air and
food? - Answer: - pharynx (aka throat)
what area is directly posterior to the mouth (from the opening of the mouth until the epiglottis) -
Answer: - - oropharynx
what is directly posterior to the nose, connecting the opening of the nostrils to the soft palate at
the back of the mouth? (this passage warms up inhaled air and filters out fine particulate) -
Answer: - - nasopharynx
leaf-shaped structure (cartilaginous tisse) that prevents food/liquid from entering the larynx during
swallowing - Answer: - epiglottis
action of epiglottis when you swallow - Answer: - falls down, covers trachea opening
action of epiglottis when you breathe - Answer: - it lifts upward and allows air to pass
what part of the respiratory system contains the vocal cords? (directly above trachea) - Answer: -
larynx
what is the most common location for airway obstruction? - Answer: - pharynx (shared by air and
food, so its a common site for partial/complete airway obstruction)
what is the hollow, sei-flexible tube that carries inhaled air from the larynx (upper airway) to the
lungs? - Answer: - trachea
normal respiratory rate for an adult - Answer: - 12-20 breaths/min
what ring-shaped structure forms the lower portion of the larynx? - Answer: - cricoid cartilage
(inferior portion of larynx= cartilaginous ring, located inferior of the thyroid cartilage)
shield shaped structure formed by 2 plates that join in a v shape anteriorly to form the laryngeal
prominence - Answer: - thryoid cartilage
laryngeal prominence is also known as - Answer: - adam's apple
, where is sellick's maneuver applied? - Answer: - cricoid cartilage
(sellick's maneuver= cricoid pressure, inhibits gas entering the stomach during assisted
ventilations)
name of cartilaginous ridge in the trachea at which the right and left lungs split -
ANSWER - carina (located beneath sternum)
number of lobes in lungs - Answer: - 5 (2 on left, 3 on right)
what is the visceral pleura - Answer: - thin, slippery outer membrane that covers all lung tissue
what is the parietal pleura - Answer: - lines the inside of the thoracic cavity
what are the small sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange? - Answer: - alveoli
(these are the smallest portions of the lung tissue)
where are capillaries located - Answer: - on the outside of the alveoli
- they share a wall (membrane) with the alveoli sacs
how are alveolar sacs kept open - Answer: - by a soapy substance, surfactant
what is surfactant - Answer: - a fluid that reduces surface tension within the alveoli and keeps
them expanded, making it easier for the gas exchange bw o2 and co2
what would happen without surfactant? - Answer: - the alveoli collapse, inhibiting gas exchange
(seen in CHF- blood replaces surfactant and the alveoli collapse, decreasing amount of surface
area for gas exchange)
the space between the lungs (separating them) that contains the heart, the great vessels, the
esophagus, trachea, major bronchi, and many nerves - Answer: - mediastinum
what are the structures that branch off of the trachea into the lower airway? - Answer: -
bronchi
the trachea bifurcates at the carina into left and right bronchus. bronchi get smaller and smaller
until it reaches terminal bronchioles, where alveoli is located
role of phrenic nerve - Answer: - innervates the diaphragm muscle, allowing it to contract (occurs
in a downward direction drawing air into lungs)
inhalation is a process while exhalation is a process - Answer: - active; passive
what happens to your diaphragm during inhalation - Answer: - contracts (inhalation is an active
process; it contracts in a downward motion drawing air into the lungs)
what happens to your diaphragm during exhalation - Answer: - relaxes (passive, allows air to
passively leave airway)
what is the name of the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal
cavity? - Answer: - diaphragm
partial pressure of oxygen in air residing in the alveoli (Pao2) a. without co2
b. with co2 - Answer: - a. 104 mm Hg b. 40 mm Hg
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETED SOLUTIONS.
what is ventilation - Answer: - exchange of air bw lungs and environment
what is oxygenation - Answer: - the process of loading oxygen molecules onto hemoglobin
molecules in the blood stream
what is respiration - Answer: - the actual exchange of oxygen and co2 in the alveoli as well as the
tissues of the body
layrngopharynx splits into two lumens: - Answer: - larynx anteriorly esophagus posteriorly
what is the name of the passageway shared by the digestive and respiratory systems for air and
food? - Answer: - pharynx (aka throat)
what area is directly posterior to the mouth (from the opening of the mouth until the epiglottis) -
Answer: - - oropharynx
what is directly posterior to the nose, connecting the opening of the nostrils to the soft palate at
the back of the mouth? (this passage warms up inhaled air and filters out fine particulate) -
Answer: - - nasopharynx
leaf-shaped structure (cartilaginous tisse) that prevents food/liquid from entering the larynx during
swallowing - Answer: - epiglottis
action of epiglottis when you swallow - Answer: - falls down, covers trachea opening
action of epiglottis when you breathe - Answer: - it lifts upward and allows air to pass
what part of the respiratory system contains the vocal cords? (directly above trachea) - Answer: -
larynx
what is the most common location for airway obstruction? - Answer: - pharynx (shared by air and
food, so its a common site for partial/complete airway obstruction)
what is the hollow, sei-flexible tube that carries inhaled air from the larynx (upper airway) to the
lungs? - Answer: - trachea
normal respiratory rate for an adult - Answer: - 12-20 breaths/min
what ring-shaped structure forms the lower portion of the larynx? - Answer: - cricoid cartilage
(inferior portion of larynx= cartilaginous ring, located inferior of the thyroid cartilage)
shield shaped structure formed by 2 plates that join in a v shape anteriorly to form the laryngeal
prominence - Answer: - thryoid cartilage
laryngeal prominence is also known as - Answer: - adam's apple
, where is sellick's maneuver applied? - Answer: - cricoid cartilage
(sellick's maneuver= cricoid pressure, inhibits gas entering the stomach during assisted
ventilations)
name of cartilaginous ridge in the trachea at which the right and left lungs split -
ANSWER - carina (located beneath sternum)
number of lobes in lungs - Answer: - 5 (2 on left, 3 on right)
what is the visceral pleura - Answer: - thin, slippery outer membrane that covers all lung tissue
what is the parietal pleura - Answer: - lines the inside of the thoracic cavity
what are the small sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange? - Answer: - alveoli
(these are the smallest portions of the lung tissue)
where are capillaries located - Answer: - on the outside of the alveoli
- they share a wall (membrane) with the alveoli sacs
how are alveolar sacs kept open - Answer: - by a soapy substance, surfactant
what is surfactant - Answer: - a fluid that reduces surface tension within the alveoli and keeps
them expanded, making it easier for the gas exchange bw o2 and co2
what would happen without surfactant? - Answer: - the alveoli collapse, inhibiting gas exchange
(seen in CHF- blood replaces surfactant and the alveoli collapse, decreasing amount of surface
area for gas exchange)
the space between the lungs (separating them) that contains the heart, the great vessels, the
esophagus, trachea, major bronchi, and many nerves - Answer: - mediastinum
what are the structures that branch off of the trachea into the lower airway? - Answer: -
bronchi
the trachea bifurcates at the carina into left and right bronchus. bronchi get smaller and smaller
until it reaches terminal bronchioles, where alveoli is located
role of phrenic nerve - Answer: - innervates the diaphragm muscle, allowing it to contract (occurs
in a downward direction drawing air into lungs)
inhalation is a process while exhalation is a process - Answer: - active; passive
what happens to your diaphragm during inhalation - Answer: - contracts (inhalation is an active
process; it contracts in a downward motion drawing air into the lungs)
what happens to your diaphragm during exhalation - Answer: - relaxes (passive, allows air to
passively leave airway)
what is the name of the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal
cavity? - Answer: - diaphragm
partial pressure of oxygen in air residing in the alveoli (Pao2) a. without co2
b. with co2 - Answer: - a. 104 mm Hg b. 40 mm Hg
