The document describes the anatomy of the upper respiratory tract. It details the structures of the nasal cavity including the external nares, internal nares, nasal septum, palate, uvula, and nasal conchae. It outlines the paranasal sinuses which surround the nasal cavity. It then reviews the structures of the pharynx including the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. Finally, it outlines the larynx and its cartilage including the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis and describes the function of the vocal cords.

1. Notes: Upper Respiratory Tract (pg 4)

2. Nasal Cavity
• External nares: Nostrils

3. Nasal Cavity
• External nares: Nostrils
• Internal nares: openings from nasal cavity into
pharynx

4. Nasal Cavity
• External nares: Nostrils
• Internal nares: openings from nasal cavity into
pharynx
• Nasal septum: Divides nasal cavity in half.
Formed by vomer and ethmoid bones

5. Nasal Cavity
• External nares: Nostrils
• Internal nares: openings from nasal cavity into
pharynx
• Nasal septum: Divides nasal cavity in half.
Formed by vomer and ethmoid bones
• Palate: Forms floor of nasal cavity. Anterior =
hard palate (bone). Posterior = soft palate (no
bone)

6. Nasal Cavity
• External nares: Nostrils
• Internal nares: openings from nasal cavity into
pharynx
• Nasal septum: Divides nasal cavity in half.
Formed by vomer and ethmoid bones
• Palate: Forms floor of nasal cavity. Anterior =
hard palate (bone). Posterior = soft palate (no
bone)
• Uvula: “Dangly thing” in throat.Prevents food
from entering nasal cavity.

7. Nasal Cavity
• External nares: Nostrils
• Internal nares: openings from nasal cavity into
pharynx
• Nasal septum: Divides nasal cavity in half. Formed
by vomer and ethmoid bones
• Palate: Forms floor of nasal cavity. Anterior =
hard palate (bone). Posterior = soft palate (no
bone)
• Uvula: “Dangly thing” in throat. Prevents food
from entering nasal cavity..
• Nasal conchae: Three bony ridges (superior,
middle, and inferior) in nasal cavity. Increase
surface area to warm and moisten air. Trap dust.

8. Paranasal sinuses
• Air-filled cavities in frontal, maxillae,
ethmoid, and sphenoid bones

9. Paranasal sinuses
• Air-filled cavities in frontal, maxillae,
ethmoid, and sphenoid bones
• Surround nasal cavity and open into it

10. Paranasal sinuses
• Air-filled cavities in frontal, maxillae,
ethmoid, and sphenoid bones
• Surround nasal cavity and open into it
• Functions: Reduce weight of skull,
produce mucus, act as resonating
chambers for voice

11. Pharynx (Throat)
• Nasopharynx: portion posterior to nasal
cavity. Eustachian tubes from middle ear end
here. Pharengeal tonsils (adenoids) are
located on posterior wall

12. Pharynx (Throat)
• Nasopharynx: portion posterior to nasal
cavity. Eustachian tubes from middle ear end
here. Pharengeal tonsils (adenoids) are
located on posterior wall
• Oropharynx: portion posterior to oral cavity.
Receives air, food, and water from mouth.
Palatine tonsils are on lateral walls and lingual
tonsils are behind the tongue

13. Pharynx (Throat)
• Nasopharynx: portion posterior to nasal
cavity. Eustachian tubes from middle ear end
here. Pharengeal tonsils (adenoids) are
located on posterior wall
• Oropharynx: portion posterior to oral cavity.
Receives air, food, and water from mouth.
Palatine tonsils are on lateral walls and lingual
tonsils are behind the tongue
• Laryngopharynx: portion between oropharynx
and larynx

14. Larynx (Voicebox)
• 5 cm long. Made of pieces of cartilage
connected by muscles and ligaments

15. Larynx (Voicebox)
• 5 cm long. Made of pieces of cartilage
connected by muscles and ligaments
• Thyroid cartilage: “Adam’s apple”

16. Larynx (Voicebox)
• 5 cm long. Made of pieces of cartilage
connected by muscles and ligaments
• Thyroid cartilage: “Adam’s apple”
• Cricoid cartilage: Base of larynx. Attaches
larynx to trachea

17. Larynx (Voicebox)
• 5 cm long. Made of pieces of cartilage
connected by muscles and ligaments
• Thyroid cartilage: “Adam’s apple”
• Cricoid cartilage: Base of larynx. Attaches
larynx to trachea
• Epiglottis: Leaf-shaped movable flap. During
swallowing, epiglottis covers opening of larynx
to prevent food and water from entering.

18. Larynx (Voicebox)
• 5 cm long. Made of pieces of cartilage connected
by muscles and ligaments
• Thyroid cartilage: “Adam’s apple”
• Cricoid cartilage: Base of larynx. Attaches larynx
to trachea
• Epiglottis: Leaf-shaped movable flap. During
swallowing, epiglottis covers opening of larynx to
prevent food and water from entering.
• Vocal cords: ligaments that function in sound
production. Muscles control the length and
tension, affecting pitch.