Airway Anatomy - C.L.E.M.C Airway Anatomy Pediatric vs Adult Upper Airway Larger tongue in comparison to size of mouth Floppy epiglottis ... alveolar sacs. Lower Airway Anatomy Alveoli

Airway Anatomy

Presented By: Steven Jones, NREMT-P

Airway Anatomy

Upper Airway AnatomyLower Airway AnatomyLung Capacities/VolumesPediatric Airway Differences

Anatomy of the Upper Airway

Upper Airway Anatomy

Functionswarm, filter, and humidify air

Nasal cavity and nasopharynxFormed by union of facial bonesNasal floor towards ear not eyeLined with mucous membranes, ciliaTissues are delicate, vascularAdenoids

Lymph tissue - filters bacteriaCommonly infected

Upper Airway Anatomy

Oral cavity and oropharynxTeethTongue

Attached at mandible, hyoid boneMost common airway obstruction cause

PalateRoof of mouthSeparates oropharynx and nasopharynxAnterior= hard palatePosterior= soft palate

Upper Airway Anatomy

Oral cavity and oropharynxTonsils

Lymph tissueFilters bacteria

Commonly infected

EpiglottisLeaf-like structureCloses during swallowingPrevents aspiration

Vallecula“Pocket” formed by base of tongue, epiglottis

Upper Airway Anatomy

Upper Airway Anatomy

Sinusescavities formed by cranial bonesact as tributaries for fluid to, from eustachian tubes, tear ductstrap bacteria, commonly infected

Upper Airway Anatomy

LarynxAttached to hyoid bone

Horseshoe shaped boneSupports trachea

Thyroid cartilageLargest laryngeal cartilageShield-shapedCartilage anteriorly, smooth muscle posteriorly“Adam’s Apple”Glottic opening directly behind

Upper Airway Anatomy

LarynxGlottic opening

Adult airway’s narrowest pointDependent on muscle toneContains vocal bands

Arytenoid cartilagePosterior attachment of vocal bands

Upper Airway Anatomy

LarynxCricoid ring

First tracheal ringCompletely cartilaginousCompression (Sellick maneuver) occludes esophagus

Cricothyroid membraneMembrane between cricoid, thyroid cartilagesSite for surgical, needle airway placement

Upper Airway Anatomy

Larynx and TracheaAssociated Structures

Thyroid glandbelow cricoid cartilagelies across trachea, up both sides

Carotid arteriesbranch across, lie closely alongside trachea

Jugular veinsbranch across and lie close to trachea

Upper Airway Anatomy

Upper Airway Anatomy

Pediatric vs Adult Upper AirwayLarger tongue in comparison to size of mouthFloppy epiglottisDelicate teeth, gumsMore superior larynxFunnel shaped larynx due to undeveloped cricoid cartilageNarrowest point at cricoid ring before ~8 years old

Upper Airway Anatomy

Upper Airway Anatomy

Glottic Opening

Lower Airway Anatomy

FunctionExchange O2 , CO2 with blood

LocationFrom glottic opening to alveolar-capillary membrane

Lower Airway Anatomy

TracheaBifurcates (divides) at carina

Right main stem bronchiShorterStraighter

Left main stem bronchi

Lined with mucous cells, beta-2 receptors

Lower Airway Anatomy

BronchiBranch into secondary, tertiary bronchi that branch into bronchioles

BronchiolesNo cartilage in wallsSmall smooth muscle tubesBranch into alveolar ducts that end at alveolar sacs

Lower Airway Anatomy

Alveoli“Balloon-like” clustersSined with surfactant

Decreases surface tension ⇒ eases expansion surfactant ⇒ atelectasis (focal collapse of alveoli)

Alveolar membraneActual site of gas exchange

gases are exchanged between the alveolar air and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries by crossing this membrane

Lower Airway Anatomy

Lower Airway Anatomy

LungsRight lung = 3 lobes; Left lung = 2 lobesPleura

Visceral – membrane that covers the lungsParietal – lines the inner wall of the pleural cavity

Highly sensitive to pain

Pleural space

Lower Airway Anatomy