Dissection Test - Thoracic Cavity Test

What is the hard palate?

The hard part at the front of the top of the mouth.

What is the function of the hard palate?

To break down food to create a bolus, assist in speech, and separate the oral and nasal cavities.

What is the makeup of the hard palate?

Made up of connective tissues supported by bone.

What is the soft palate?

The squishy back part of the top of the mouth.

What is the function of the soft palate?

Plays a role in breathing, speaking, swallowing, and directing spit down the esophagus.

What is the makeup of the soft palate?

Comprised of skeletal muscle and 5 muscles.

What is the pharynx?

The opening at the back of the mouth where the epiglottis is located.

What is the function of the pharynx?

Routes air to the trachea and food/liquids to the esophagus, separating the respiratory and digestive systems.

What are the three parts of the pharynx?

Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Hypopharynx (or laryngopharynx).

What is the nasopharynx?

The connection to the nose, separate from the mouth, lined with epithelial cells.

What is the oropharynx?

The middle part of the pharynx that starts at the soft palate and ends at the epiglottis.

What is the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx)?

The lower part of the pharynx that extends from the epiglottis to the esophagus.

What is the larynx?

The bulge in the neck, located just before the trachea.

What is the function of the larynx?

Contains vocal cords that vibrate to allow speech.

What is the makeup of the larynx?

Made up of a cartilaginous skeleton, ligaments, muscles, and a mucous membrane.

What are the three parts of the larynx?

Supraglottis, Glottis (vocal cords), and Subglottis.

What is the epiglottis?

A fold of cartilage in the pharynx.

What is the function of the epiglottis?

Prevents food and drink from entering the windpipe.

What is the makeup of the epiglottis?

Made mostly of elastic cartilage.

What is the esophagus?

The tube behind the trachea, not connected to the larynx.

What is the function of the esophagus?

Transports food from the mouth to the stomach.

What is the makeup of the esophagus?

Partly skeletal muscle, partly smooth muscle, with a mucous lining.

What is the trachea?

The tube off of the larynx that contains cartilage rings.

What is the function of the trachea?

Allows air to flow to and from the lungs and helps protect the respiratory system.

What is the function of the cartilage rings in the trachea?

Prevents the trachea from collapsing during breathing.

What is the makeup of the trachea?

Thick rings of cartilage.

What is the carotid artery?

The large medial artery in the neck beside the larynx.

What is the function of the carotid artery?

Provides oxygenated blood to the brain.

What is the makeup of the carotid artery?

Small lumen, large amount of smooth muscle, and connective tissue.

What is the jugular vein?

The blue lateral vein in the neck beside the larynx.

What is the function of the jugular vein?

Collects blood from the skull, brain, and neck, connecting to the superior vena cava.

What is the makeup of the jugular vein?

Large lumen, smaller amount of smooth muscle.

What is the inferior vena cava?

The thin tube that attaches to the heart, large lumen, beneath the heart.

What is the function of the inferior vena cava?

Transports CO2-rich blood back to the right side of the heart from the lower body.

What is the makeup of the inferior vena cava?

Endothelial cells, connective tissues, nerve fibers, elastic fibers, and muscle tissue.

What are the coronary arteries/veins?

They wrap around the heart to supply it with oxygen.

What is the function of the coronary arteries/veins?

Supply oxygen to the heart, as there are no capillaries in the heart chambers.

What is the aorta?

The large artery behind the pulmonary trunk that wraps around to the back of the body.

What is the function of the aorta?

Carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

What is the makeup of the aorta?

Thicker than normal arteries to withstand higher pressure.

What is the ductus arteriosus?

The connection point behind the heart between the pulmonary arteries and the aorta.

What is the function of the ductus arteriosus?

Allows oxygenated blood to bypass the lungs and go directly to the body.

What is the pericardium?

The fluid-filled sac around the heart.

What is the function of the pericardium?

Reduces friction and protects the heart from infections.

What are the lungs?

Moist organs with large surface area and many capillaries.

What is the function of the lungs?

Facilitate gas exchange: O2 to the body and CO2 out of the body.

Outline