CHAPTER 5/ Respiratory Conditions^73
Overview
The respiratory tract consists of upper and lower airway structures. Upper airway
structures begin with the oronasopharynx, the passageway connecting the nasal
airway to the trachea. Because the oral area is a shared passageway to the
esophagus as well as the pharynx and larynx, inflammation in the area can
impact swallowing as well as breathing. The pharynx and upper trachea, which
contains the glottis or vocal cords and epiglottis of the larynx, have an impact
on speech as well as breathing. Lower airway structures include the lower
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoliof the lungs. The lungs are divided
into a two-lobed lung on the left and a three-lobed lung on the right side of the
chest. Infants and children have smaller airway structures than those of adults;
thus obstruction of the airway can occur rapidly. In addition, the cartilage of the
young pediatric airway and reactive bronchial smooth muscle places the pediatric
client at risk for obstruction due to bronchial constriction.
This chapter examines the common respiratory illnesses that are seen in
the childhood population. The text explores the illnesses as altered functions
Angle of
Louis
Left main stem
bronchus
Left upper
lobe
Left lower
lobe
Right main stem
bronchus
Segmential
bronchi
Right upper
lobe
Right lower
lobe
Right middle
lobe
FIGURE 5-2