Chapter 3

Comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the thoracic cavity, bony thorax, upper and lower respiratory tracts, laryngeal cartilages, bronchial tree, and alveoli anatomical structures.

Body Habitus

General shape of the body that determines the size, shape, position, and internal movement of internal organs.

Hypersthenic Body Habitus

A massive body build category affecting the size, shape, and position of thoracic organs.

Sthenic Body Habitus

An average body build category affecting the shape and position of thoracic cavity organs.

Hyposthenic Body Habitus

A slender body build category affecting the position and shape of thoracic cavity organs.

Asthenic Body Habitus

A very slender body build category affecting internal organ size, shape, and thoracic cavity position.

Primary Function of Respiratory System

Serves as an air distributor and gas exchanger, supplying $O_2$ and removing $CO_2$.

Alveoli Function

Microscopic sacs that serve as gas exchangers while all other respiratory system parts serve as air distributors.

Air Conditioning Function of Respiratory System

The system warms, filters, and humidifies incoming air.

Secondary Physiological Functions of Respiratory System Organs

Influence speech, homeostasis of body pH, and olfaction.

Accessory Structures of Respiratory System

Structures including oral cavity, rib cage, and diaphragm.

Rib Cage Function in Respiration

Acts as an accessory structure that supports and protects the lungs.

Gingivae

Gums located within the oral cavity.

Hard Palate

Anterior bony roof of the mouth.

Soft Palate

Posterior muscular roof of the mouth.

Uvula

A fleshy extension hanging at the posterior edge of the soft palate.

Vestibule of Oral Cavity

Space between the lips/cheeks and the teeth/gums.

Lingual Frenulum

Fold of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the oral cavity.

Duct of Submandibular Gland

Excretory duct opening into the oral cavity under the tongue.

Bony Thorax

Expandable cage consisting of sternum, T-spine, and 12 pairs of ribs that protects thoracic contents during respiration.

Sternum

Anterior bone of the bony thorax consisting of manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

Thoracic Spine (T-spine)

Posterior structural portion of the bony thorax consisting of 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Thoracic Cavity Boundaries

Bound by walls of the thorax, extending from the superior thoracic aperture to the inferior thoracic aperture.

Superior Thoracic Aperture

Superior opening of the thoracic cavity.

Inferior Thoracic Aperture

Inferior opening of the thoracic cavity.

Chambers of Thoracic Cavity

Three separate chambers comprising one pericardial chamber and two (right and left) pleural chambers.

Pericardial Cavity

Central chamber of the thoracic cavity housing the heart.

Pleural Cavity (Pleural Space)

Potential space between pleura containing pleural fluid to prevent friction.

Pleural Fluid

Fluid contained within the pleural cavity that prevents friction during lung movement.

Anatomical Location of Lungs

Located in the thoracic cavity, not in the pleural cavity.

Diaphragm

Muscular wall separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Mediastinum

Center area of the thoracic cavity located between the left and right lungs.

Manubrium

Top, upper portion of the sternum measuring $2\text{ inches}$ in length.

Body of Sternum (Gladiolus)

Long middle part of the sternum measuring $4\text{ inches}$ in length with 4 segments that ossify at about age 40.

Xiphoid Process

Distal bottom tip of sternum composed of cartilage and not completely ossified until age 40.

Jugular Notch

Palpable landmark located at top of manubrium between SC joints at level T2-T3; also called suprasternal or manubrial notch.

Suprasternal Notch

Alternative name for the jugular notch located at vertebral level T2-T3.

Sternal Angle

Palpable landmark where the distal end of the manubrium joins the sternal body.

True Ribs

Ribs 1 through 7, which possess their own costocartilage directly attaching to the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs 8 through 12, which do not attach directly to the sternum.

Attachment of Ribs 8, 9, and 10

Connect to the costal cartilage of the rib immediately above them.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11 and 12, which do not attach even indirectly to the sternum.

Costal Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage segments connecting ribs to the sternum.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Respiratory structures located above the thorax, including nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.

External Nose Frame

Bone and cartilage framework covered by skin containing sebaceous glands with hair, follicles, and sebum.

Nasal Bones Junction

Location where nasal bones meet and are surrounded by the frontal bone and maxilla (frontal process).

Nasal Cavity

Hollow space behind the nose that aids in speech and acts as an air passageway.

Nasal Conchae (Turbinates)

Superior, middle, and inferior bony structures dividing the nasal cavity into 3 passageways.

Nasal Vestibule

Space just inside the nasal cavity acting as the entrance (doorway).

Palatine Bones

Bones separating the nasal cavity from the mouth cavity lying over roof of mouth, and forming lateral walls.

Cribriform Plate

Part of ethmoid bone separating roof of nasal cavity from cranial cavity and passing olfactory nerve fibers to brain.

Superior Nasal Concha

Upper bony turbinate shelf formed by ethmoid bone inside nasal cavity.

Middle Nasal Concha

Middle bony turbinate shelf formed by ethmoid bone inside nasal cavity.

Inferior Nasal Concha

Independent facial bone forming lowest turbinate passageway in nasal cavity.

Perpendicular Plate of Ethmoid

Upper bony portion forming part of the nasal septum.

Vomer Bone

Lower posterior bony component forming part of the nasal septum.

Nasal Septum

Medial partition separating nasal cavity into right and left halves.

Four Structures of Nasal Septum

Perpendicular plate (ethmoid), vomer, vomeronasal cartilage, and septal nasal cartilage.

Septal Nasal Cartilage

Anterior cartilaginous structure contributing to the nasal septum.

Vomeronasal Cartilage

Cartilage structure associated with anterior lower portion of nasal septum.

Anterior Nares

External nostrils/openings of the nasal cavity.

Posterior Nares

Back openings of nasal cavity leading into pharynx (back door to the nose).

Superior Meatus

Air passageway located inferior to superior nasal concha.

Middle Meatus

Air passageway located inferior to middle nasal concha.

Inferior Meatus

Air passageway located inferior to inferior nasal concha.

Sequence of Air Flow through Nose

Anterior nares $\rightarrow$ Vestibule $\rightarrow$ 3 meati/turbinates (inferior to middle to superior) $\rightarrow$ Posterior nares $\rightarrow$ Pharynx.

Paranasal Sinuses

Four pairs of air-filled spaces lined with mucous membranes that drain into nasal cavity.

Four Pairs of Paranasal Sinuses

Ethmoid, sphenoid, maxillary, and frontal sinuses.

Antrum of Highmore

Alternative name for maxillary sinus.

Paranasal Sinuses Functions

Lighten the skull and act as resonant chambers.

Pharynx (Throat)

Five-inch long tube-like structure extending from skull base to esophagus that serves as choking point for air and food.

Pharynx Position

Anterior to spine and posterior to nose, mouth, and larynx.

Nasopharynx

Uppermost or superior portion of pharynx located behind nasal cavity to level of soft palate.

Oropharynx

Middle portion of pharynx located between soft palate and hyoid bone (base of tongue).

Laryngopharynx

Inferior portion of pharynx located between hyoid bone and larynx.

Hyoid Bone

Horseshoe-shaped floating bone unconnected to any other bone that serves as a fulcrum for tongue muscles during swallowing.

Pharyngeal Tonsils

Lymphoid tissue located on posterior wall of nasopharynx opposite posterior nares; also called adenoids.

Adenoids Function

Trap and destroy pathogens that enter the nasopharynx.

Pathological Effects of Large Adenoids

Produce nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, nasal voice, snoring, and restless sleep.

Palatine Tonsils

Lymphoid tissue commonly referred to as tonsils, located in oropharynx and commonly removed in a tonsillectomy.

Lingual Tonsils

Tonsils located at base of tongue just anterior to epiglottis.

Eustachian Tubes (Auditory Tubes)

Structures connecting middle ear with pharynx to equalize pressure.

Larynx (Voice Box)

Structure located between root of tongue and upper trachea extending from vertebral levels C4 to C6.

Three Important Functions of Larynx

Forms breathing passageway, protects lungs from ingested food/liquids, and acts as source of voice.

Laryngeal Framework Cartilages Count

Framework composed of 9 cartilages.

Thyroid Cartilage

Largest of 9 laryngeal cartilages that protects vocal cords and forms Adam's Apple.

Epiglottis

Leaf-shaped cartilage standing upright in larynx that drops down during swallowing to close off larynx entrance.

Cricoid Cartilage

Ring-shaped laryngeal cartilage serving as muscle/ligament attachment; trachea begins where cricoid ends.

Arytenoid Cartilages

Paired cartilages (4-5 of laryngeal framework) that move vocal cords.

Corniculate Cartilages

Paired cartilages (6-7 of laryngeal framework) that assist vocal cords in movement.

Cuneiform Cartilages

Paired cartilages (8-9 of laryngeal framework) that assist vocal cords in movement.

Laryngeal Prominence

Anterior projection of thyroid cartilage commonly called Adam's Apple.

Cause of Voice Cracking in Puberty

Growth of Adam's Apple and larynx during puberty in teenage boys.

Thyroid Gland Location

Consists of 2 lateral lobes lying at front and sides of upper trachea, usually suprasternal in position.

Isthmus of Thyroid

Central tissue mass connecting right and left lateral lobes of thyroid gland across trachea.

Parathyroid Glands Anatomy

Four small ovoid bodies (two superior, two inferior) located on surface of thyroid gland.

Parathyroid Glands Function

Control calcium levels in blood, bones, and throughout body.

Flap Valve Function of Epiglottis

Drops down during swallowing to protect airway from food and liquids entering trachea.

Cricoid Cartilage Function

Provides attachments for various muscles, cartilages, and ligaments involved in opening/closing airway and speech production.

False Vocal Cords (Vestibular Folds)

Upper pair of thick mucous membrane folds sitting just above true vocal cords; minimal role in phonation, active in screaming and death grunts.

True Vocal Cords (Vocal Folds)

Lower paired muscle folds covered in mucous membrane forming a V-shaped valve for sound production and pulmonary protection.