Nasal Breathing & Airway Function Flashcards
7 cards from real COM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Nasal Breathing & Airway Function flashcards as text
What is the primary advantage of nasal breathing over mouth breathing for inspired air?
Answer: It filters, warms, and humidifies air before it reaches the lungs
Nasal breathing conditions incoming air by filtering particulates, warming it to body temperature, and adding humidity, protecting the lower airways.
Which nasal structures are primarily responsible for warming and humidifying inspired air?
Answer: Turbinates (conchae)
The turbinates (conchae) create turbulent airflow and have a rich blood supply and mucosa that warm and humidify air as it passes through.
Nitric oxide (NO) produced in the nasal sinuses during nasal breathing primarily functions to:
Answer: Act as a vasodilator and bronchodilator, improving oxygen uptake
Nasally produced nitric oxide is inhaled into the lungs where it acts as a potent vasodilator and bronchodilator, enhancing oxygen absorption.
In clinical orofacial myofunctional practice, the 'nasal cycle' refers to:
Answer: The alternating congestion and decongestion between the two nasal passages
The nasal cycle is a normal physiological process in which the nasal turbinates alternately swell and shrink every 2–7 hours, shifting dominant airflow between nostrils.
The nasal mucociliary clearance system protects the airway by:
Answer: Trapping pathogens and particles and moving them toward the pharynx for elimination
Cilia on the nasal mucosa beat in coordinated waves to transport mucus containing trapped particles and pathogens toward the pharynx, where they are swallowed or expelled.
Compared to mouth breathing, nasal breathing during rest is associated with:
Answer: Greater activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and calming effects
Nasal breathing tends to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and efficient gas exchange, unlike mouth breathing which can trigger a stress response.
In orofacial myology, proper nasal breathing at rest is most closely associated with which tongue position?
Answer: Tongue body resting against the palate with tip at the incisive papilla
Correct tongue rest posture (tongue body against the palate, tip at the spot/incisive papilla) naturally closes the oral airway and directs breathing through the nose.