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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Conquer Airway Anatomy, Physiology & Management - Take the Quiz!

Test your airway physiology & management skills - start the quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing airway anatomy with lungs trachea bronchi and medical icons on golden yellow background.

This airway anatomy quiz helps you practice core physiology and emergency airway management. Answer focused questions on the trachea, bronchi, lung volumes, and airway plans to spot gaps before an exam or shift; then try more airway management cases or review basics in a respiratory system overview .

Which of the following structures is NOT part of the conducting airway?
Bronchioles
Larynx
Trachea
Alveoli
The conducting airway includes the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and larynx but stops before the respiratory zone. Alveoli are part of the respiratory zone where gas exchange occurs. They are not considered part of the conducting airway. For more details, see .
What is the primary function of the epiglottis?
Prevent food entering the trachea during swallowing
Filter inspired particles
Humidify inhaled air
Produce vocal sounds
During swallowing, the epiglottis folds downward to cover the laryngeal inlet, directing food into the esophagus and preventing aspiration. It does not produce sound or humidify air. For an in-depth review, see .
The tracheal rings are composed of which type of cartilage?
Yellow cartilage
Elastic cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Hyaline cartilage
The C-shaped rings of the trachea are formed by hyaline cartilage, providing structural support while allowing flexibility. Elastic cartilage is found in the ear, and fibrocartilage in intervertebral discs. Reference: .
The main site of gas exchange in the lungs is the:
Terminal bronchioles
Alveoli
Bronchial arteries
Respiratory bronchioles
Gas exchange occurs primarily in the alveoli where the respiratory membrane is thin and highly vascularized. Terminal bronchioles conduct air but do not participate significantly in gas exchange. See for details.
Which anatomical landmark is palpated for a percutaneous cricothyrotomy?
Hyoid bone
Cricothyroid membrane
First tracheal ring
Thyroid notch
A percutaneous cricothyrotomy targets the cricothyroid membrane, located between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. It is the fastest landmark to access a surgical airway in emergencies. More information at .
The carina, where the trachea bifurcates, lies approximately at which vertebral level?
T1
C6
T10
T4 - T5
The carina is located at the level of the sternal angle, corresponding to vertebral levels T4 - T5. This landmark is important in bronchoscopy and intubation. See .
Which muscle is the primary driver of quiet inspiration?
Diaphragm
Sternocleidomastoid
Internal intercostals
Scalene muscles
The diaphragm contracts and flattens during quiet inspiration, increasing thoracic volume and causing air inflow. Accessory muscles like the scalenes are used during labored breathing. For more, see .
An increase in airway resistance will have what effect on airflow, assuming constant pressure?
Increase airflow
Increase compliance
No change
Decrease airflow
According to Ohm's law for fluids, flow (Q) equals pressure difference divided by resistance. If resistance rises with constant pressure, flow decreases. This principle is critical in obstructive lung disease. Learn more at .
Which effect does pulmonary surfactant have on alveoli according to the Law of Laplace?
Reduces surface tension
Raises intrapulmonary pressure
Increases alveolar radius
Increases surface tension
Surfactant reduces surface tension, which lowers the pressure needed to keep alveoli open as described by the Law of Laplace (P = 2T/r). This prevents alveolar collapse, especially in smaller alveoli. See APS - Surfactant Function.
Pulmonary compliance is defined as which of the following?
Tidal volume multiplied by respiratory rate
Change in volume divided by change in pressure
Expiratory flow rate over pressure
Change in pressure divided by change in volume
Compliance (C) equals ?V/?P, reflecting how easily the lung expands for a given pressure change. Low compliance indicates stiffer lungs. More at .
Anatomical dead space refers to the volume of gas located where?
Within the pleural space
In conducting airways not participating in gas exchange
Within alveoli not perfused
Inside pulmonary capillaries
Anatomical dead space is the volume of air in the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles that does not reach alveoli for gas exchange. It contrasts with alveolar dead space caused by ventilation without perfusion. See .
Which chemoreceptors are most sensitive to changes in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2)?
Peripheral chemoreceptors
Mechanoreceptors
Baroreceptors
Central chemoreceptors
Central chemoreceptors in the medulla respond to changes in CSF pH caused by CO2 diffusion and are the primary regulators of ventilation in response to PaCO2. Peripheral chemoreceptors respond more to hypoxia. More info at .
The respiratory quotient (RQ) is defined as which ratio?
O2 consumed / CO2 produced
Alveolar ventilation / tidal volume
Minute ventilation / respiratory rate
CO2 produced / O2 consumed
RQ equals CO2 production divided by O2 consumption and varies with substrate metabolism (e.g., carbohydrate RQ ~1.0). It informs nutritional and respiratory management. See .
When placing a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), the tip should rest against which structure?
Cricoid cartilage
Vocal cords
Hypopharynx
Epiglottis
An LMA seats its distal tip in the hypopharynx above the glottis, creating a seal around the laryngeal inlet. It does not enter the vocal cords or rest on cartilage. Learn more at .
In a trauma patient with possible cervical spine injury, which airway maneuver is recommended?
Neck extension
Submandibular pressure
Jaw thrust
Head tilt - chin lift
Jaw thrust avoids neck extension and minimizes cervical spine movement while opening the airway. The head tilt - chin lift is contraindicated in suspected spinal injury. Guidelines: .
In rapid sequence induction (RSI), what is the correct order of drug administration?
Sedative then paralytic
Analgesic then sedative
Paralytic then sedative
Sedative then opioid
RSI involves administering a sedative (e.g., etomidate) immediately followed by a paralytic (e.g., succinylcholine) to induce rapid unconsciousness and neuromuscular blockade. This sequence minimizes aspiration risk. More at .
A Cormack - Lehane grade I view during laryngoscopy indicates:
Partial view of vocal cords
Only epiglottis visible
No visible glottic opening
Full view of the glottic opening
Grade I in the Cormack - Lehane system means the entire glottic opening is visible, indicating an easy intubation. Higher grades indicate progressively more limited views. See .
Calculate the PaO2/FiO2 ratio for an arterial PaO2 of 80 mmHg on an FiO2 of 0.4.
320
100
80
200
The P/F ratio is PaO2 divided by FiO2: 80 / 0.4 = 200. This metric helps classify ARDS severity. More at .
During cricothyrotomy, what key landmark should be palpated to identify the membrane?
Cricothyroid membrane
First tracheal ring
Hyoid bone
Thyroid cartilage lamina
The cricothyroid membrane lies between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages and is the targeted site for emergency cricothyrotomy. Palpation of these cartilages guides placement. See .
Fiberoptic bronchoscope - guided intubation is especially indicated in:
Peripheral intravenous access
Anticipated difficult airway
Routine elective surgery
Cardiac arrest with no reflexes
Fiberoptic-guided intubation allows visualization of the airway in patients with limited mouth opening or cervical spine restrictions. It is the gold standard for anticipated difficult airway. More at .
What causes auto-PEEP (intrinsic PEEP) during mechanical ventilation?
Circuit disconnection
Excessive external PEEP setting
Using a high-pressure alarm
Incomplete exhalation leading to air trapping
Auto-PEEP occurs when insufficient expiratory time prevents full lung emptying, trapping air and raising alveolar pressure. This can compromise hemodynamics and ventilation. Review at .
In capnography, what does Phase III (the alveolar plateau) represent?
Dead space ventilation
Inspiratory phase
Alveolar gas exhalation
Rapid exhalation upstroke
Phase III on a capnogram is the alveolar plateau where CO2-rich alveolar gas is exhaled. It reflects uniform alveolar emptying. For details see .
How does the Bernoulli principle contribute to airway collapse in obstructive lesions?
It reverses airflow during exhalation
It increases airway radius
High flow velocity reduces luminal pressure causing collapse
Low flow velocity increases pressure stabilizing airway
According to the Bernoulli principle, as air flows faster through a narrowed segment, lateral pressure drops and may cause dynamic airway collapse. This is key in conditions like tracheomalacia. More at .
What is the rationale behind permissive hypercapnia in mechanical ventilation?
Maintain strict normocapnia regardless of pressures
Allow elevated PaCO2 to use lower tidal volumes and protect lungs
Hyperventilate to reduce PaCO2 rapidly
Avoid any PEEP to prevent increased PaCO2
Permissive hypercapnia accepts higher PaCO2 levels to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury by using lower tidal volumes and pressures. This strategy improves outcomes in ARDS. For more, see .
Which characteristic of the neonatal airway differs significantly from adults?
Less compliant lung tissue
Longer, rigid vocal cords
More cephalad and anterior larynx
Larger tracheal diameter
In neonates, the larynx is positioned higher (cephalad) and more anterior, making visualization during intubation challenging. Their airways are also smaller and more collapsible. See .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Primary Airway Structures -

    Recognize and label key anatomical landmarks of the upper and lower airway to reinforce your foundation in airway anatomy.

  2. Calculate Lung Volumes and Capacities -

    Perform accurate lung volume calculations including tidal volume, residual volume, and vital capacity to master essential lung volumes questions.

  3. Describe Airway Physiology Mechanisms -

    Explain the physiological processes governing airflow, gas exchange, and pressure gradients as covered in the airway physiology quiz.

  4. Analyze Respiratory System Metrics -

    Interpret respiratory rate, compliance, and resistance data to evaluate critical parameters in the respiratory system quiz.

  5. Apply Emergency Airway Management Techniques -

    Demonstrate critical decision-making and procedural steps for airway management in high-stakes scenarios to excel in the airway management quiz challenge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamental Lung Volumes & Capacities -

    Review tidal volume (TV), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and residual volume (RV) with the mnemonic "I GET SMASHED" (IRV, TV, ERV, RV). Calculate functional residual capacity (FRC) with the formula FRC = ERV + RV to answer common lung volumes questions. Reliable values come from ATS/ERS guidelines published in pulmonary journals.

  2. Airway Anatomy Landmarks -

    Memorize the upper airway segments: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx and the glottis, plus cartilages like the thyroid and cricoid. A handy trick is "Never Offer Lollipops After Candy" (Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx, Airway Cartilages). University anatomy resources such as Gray's Anatomy Online confirm these key zones.

  3. Dead Space & Compliance Concepts -

    Differentiate anatomic dead space from alveolar dead space and apply the Bohr equation: Vd/Vt = (PaCO₂ - PECO₂)/PaCO₂ to gauge ventilation efficiency. Remember that decreased lung compliance raises peak airway pressures, which is critical for the airway physiology quiz section. These principles are detailed in authoritative respiratory physiology texts like West's Respiratory Physiology.

  4. Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) Matching -

    Aim for a normal V/Q ratio of ~0.8; high V/Q (dead space) and low V/Q (shunt) both impair gas exchange. Practice sample problems calculating alveolar gas using the alveolar gas equation: PAO₂ = PIO₂ - (PaCO₂/R). Leading medical school lecture notes from Harvard and Stanford provide additional V/Q scenarios for your respiratory system quiz.

  5. Essential Airway Management Mnemonics -

    Use "SOAPME" (Suction, Oxygen, Airway equipment, Positioning, Monitoring, End-tidal CO₂) for pre-intubation checks in the airway management quiz. Master basic airway maneuvers like head-tilt/chin-lift versus jaw-thrust to maintain patency until advanced equipment arrives. The American Society of Anesthesiologists' practice guidelines offer evidence-based steps.

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