Upper Respiratory Tract Anatomy | Anatomy & Physiology for Nurses

Summary

The video provides a detailed overview of the respiratory system, emphasizing the structures and functions involved in gas exchange with the blood. It begins with the anatomy of the nasal cavity, larynx, and progresses to the trachea, bronchi, and lungs, explaining their roles in air modification and filtration. Key components like the pleura, diaphragm, and phrenic nerve are discussed, alongside the protective mechanisms preventing food and water from entering the lungs. The video also covers the larynx's role in vocalization, with a focus on the vocal cords and their functions during speech and breathing, setting the stage for further exploration of the lower respiratory tract.

Takeaways

• 🫁 The respiratory system's primary goal is gas exchange with the blood, involving many structures that modify air before reaching the lungs.
• 👃 The nasal cavity plays a crucial role in warming, humidifying, and cleaning the air before it passes deeper into the respiratory system.
• 🗣️ The larynx is involved in vocalization and protects the airway during swallowing, with the epiglottis playing a key role in preventing food from entering the lungs.
• 🌬️ The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal sinuses, nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx, while the lower tract begins with the trachea and bronchi.
• 👃 The nasal septum divides the nasal cavity into left and right, and turbinates (nasal conchae) help in conditioning the air before it enters the lungs.
• 🔍 The nasal cavity is surrounded by sinuses, which are lined by mucous membranes and may contribute to voice resonance and reducing head weight.
• 👃 Olfactory mucosa in the nasal cavity is responsible for the sense of smell, with olfactory nerves passing through the skull to the brain.
• 🍽️ The pharynx serves as a shared passageway for air and food, with the soft palate and epiglottis ensuring food and air go to their respective paths.
• 🎤 The vocal cords, located in the larynx, are responsible for producing sound, with the false vocal cords located above the true vocal cords.
• 💉 Intubation involves inserting a tube past the true vocal cords into the trachea to ensure an open airway for artificial breathing support.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the respiratory system?

The primary goal of the respiratory system is to achieve gas exchange with the blood.

What structures are involved in moving and modifying air before gas exchange?

The nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, hilum, pleura, and major blood vessels are involved in moving and modifying air before gas exchange occurs in the lungs.

What are the key structures of the upper respiratory tract?

The upper respiratory tract consists of the nasal sinuses, nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.

What is the function of the nasal conchae or turbinates?

The nasal conchae or turbinates help warm, humidify, and clean the air as it enters the nasal cavity. They also direct air upwards to the olfactory mucosa for the sense of smell.

What is the significance of the olfactory mucosa in the nasal cavity?

The olfactory mucosa is responsible for the sense of smell. It contains tiny nerves that make up the olfactory nerve, which sends smell signals to the brain.

How does the respiratory system prevent food and water from entering the lungs during swallowing?

During swallowing, the soft palate prevents food from entering the nasal cavity, and the epiglottis covers the airway, directing food into the esophagus instead of the lungs.

What is the role of the epiglottis in the respiratory system?

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the airway during swallowing to prevent food and water from entering the lungs.

What are the vestibular folds and vocal folds in the larynx?

The vestibular folds, also called false vocal cords, do not produce sound, while the vocal folds (true vocal cords) vibrate to create vocalization or speech.

What is the difference in appearance between the false vocal cords and true vocal cords?

The false vocal cords are pink, while the true vocal cords are bright gray or white, making them visually distinguishable.

Why is it important to identify the true vocal cords during intubation?

During intubation, it is important to identify the true vocal cords because the cuff of the intubation tube must expand below the true vocal cords to ensure a clear airway for artificial breathing.