Biomaterial Database

The naso-oro-pharyngo-laryngeal airway. 1983

D F Proctor

Many of the muscles affecting the caliber of the upper airways have been shown to undergo a change in tone rhythmically timed to fit the breathing cycle. Failure in this function can adversely affect airway patency as in sleep-apnea. In normal persons the action of these muscles stabilizes the upper airways in a manner analagous to the action of the intercostals on the intrathoracic portion of the breathing apparatus. An important subject for future investigation is the exact nature of the nervous pathways involved.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007830	Larynx	A tubular organ of VOICE production. It is located in the anterior neck, superior to the TRACHEA and inferior to the tongue and HYOID BONE.	Anterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissure, Larynx,Laryngeal Anterior Commissure,Laryngeal Posterior Commissure,Posterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissure, Larynx,Anterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissures, Larynx,Commissure, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissure, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissure, Larynx Anterior,Commissure, Larynx Posterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissures, Larynx Anterior,Commissures, Larynx Posterior,Laryngeal Anterior Commissures,Laryngeal Posterior Commissures,Larynx Anterior Commissure,Larynx Anterior Commissures,Larynx Posterior Commissure,Larynx Posterior Commissures,Posterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissures, Larynx
D009055	Mouth	The oval-shaped oral cavity located at the apex of the digestive tract and consisting of two parts: the vestibule and the oral cavity proper.	Oral Cavity,Cavitas Oris,Cavitas oris propria,Mouth Cavity Proper,Oral Cavity Proper,Vestibule Oris,Vestibule of the Mouth,Cavity, Oral
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D009305	Nasopharynx	The top portion of the pharynx situated posterior to the nose and superior to the SOFT PALATE. The nasopharynx is the posterior extension of the nasal cavities and has a respiratory function.	Rhinopharynx,Choanae,Nasopharynges,Nasopharynxes,Rhinopharynges,Rhinopharynxes
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D012137	Respiratory System	The tubular and cavernous organs and structures, by means of which pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange between ambient air and the blood are brought about.	Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Systems,Respiratory Tracts,System, Respiratory,Tract, Respiratory
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man