North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which structures are included in the upper airway?

1. Nose, mouth, and esophagus

2. Nose, mouth, tongue, jaw, oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx

3. Trachea, larynx, and bronchi

4. Pharynx, lungs, and diaphragm

The correct answer is: Nose, mouth, tongue, jaw, oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx

The upper airway consists of several important structures that are involved in the conduction of air and play critical roles in respiration. The correct answer encompasses the nose, mouth, tongue, jaw, oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx, all of which are essential components of the upper respiratory tract. The nose and mouth serve as entry points for air, while the tongue and jaw are important for phonation and the swallowing process. The oral cavity is the space within the mouth that aids in both breathing and eating. The pharynx acts as a passageway for both air and food, and it connects the nasal cavity to the larynx and esophagus. The larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is crucial not only for the production of sound but also for protecting the airways during swallowing by preventing food from entering the trachea. In contrast, other options contain structures that are either part of the lower airway or not directly involved in the upper airway functions. The trachea, larynx, and bronchi listed in one option pertain primarily to the lower airway, as they are pathways that lead to the lungs. The option mentioning the pharynx, lungs, and diaphragm also includes the lungs,