Upper Airway Anatomy and Function Quiz

Which of the following structures is part of the upper airway?

• Trachea

• Nasopharynx

• Cricoid cartilage

• Arytenoid cartilage

Which of the following structures is part of the upper airway in the human respiratory system?

• Carina

• Bronchioles

• Nasopharynx

• Diaphragm

What is the primary function of the alveoli in the respiratory system?

• Filtering dust from inhaled air

• Producing mucus

• Exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with blood

• Moving air into the trachea

Explain how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the alveoli and the blood in the capillaries.

• Oxygen diffuses from the blood into the alveoli, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the alveoli into the blood.

• Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli.

• Both gases move from the blood into the alveoli.

• Both gases move from the alveoli into the blood.

What physiologic principal is demonstrated in the carbon dioxide dissociation curve?

• Less carbon dioxide is released into the alveolar spaces.

• Release of carbon dioxide is independent of oxygen saturation.

• A greater amount of carbon dioxide retained in the blood during periods of hypoxia.

• The partial pressure of carbon dioxide increases in higher oxygen concentrations.

Which factor would most likely cause a right shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve?

• Decreased pCO₂

• Increased temperature

• Increased pH

• Presence of fetal hemoglobin

What is the primary effect of the downward movement of the diaphragm during respiration?

• It compresses the abdominal cavity, increasing pressure in the abdominal veins and pushing blood towards the heart.

• It decreases pressure in the abdominal cavity, reducing blood flow to the heart.

• It increases pressure in the thoracic cavity, preventing blood from returning to the heart.

• It relaxes the abdominal muscles, allowing more air into the lungs.

What may happen to the left ventricle (LV) during inspiration?

• It may experience a slight decrease in filling.

• It may experience a significant increase in filling.

• It may stop pumping blood.

• It may contract more forcefully.

Explain why the net effect of inspiration is an increase in LV stroke volume and cardiac output, despite a transient decrease in blood flow to the left atrium.

• Because the overall increase in venous return outweighs the temporary decrease in left atrial blood flow.

• Because the diaphragm relaxes, allowing more blood to enter the heart.

• Because the pulmonary veins constrict, forcing more blood into the left ventricle.

• Because the heart rate decreases, allowing more time for filling.

How does the process of inspiration affect venous return, as suggested by the diagram?

• It decreases venous return.

• It has no effect on venous return.

• It increases venous return.

• It stops venous return completely.