Respiratory System

Fibromuscular tube that serves as passageway for both the digestive system and respiratory system

• Boundaries: 
• --Superior: sphenoid bone
• --Inferior: esophagus (C6)
• --Posterior: bodies of cervical vertebrae
• --Anterior: openings of nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx

• Motor: Vagus n (CN X) mostly
• Sensory: predominately via Glossopharyngeal n (CN IX)-feeling and Vagus n (CN X)- gagging

Adenoids

• Epiglottis
• Attached to thyroid cartilage
• Helps protect the opening of the larynx by directing food towards the esophagus

• Only laryngeal cartilage to form a complete ring
• Thicker on one side

Arytenoid cartilages

• Corniculate cartilages
• On top of arytenoid

• Cuneiform cartilages
• Superior and anterior to corniculate cartilage

• Terminal bronchiole
• Last segment of the bronchial tree to contain cartilage
• Leads to respiratory bronchioles