upper airway

airway /air·way/ (-wa)

1. the passage by which air enters and leaves the lungs.

2. a device for securing unobstructed respiration.

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esophageal obturator airway  a tube inserted into the esophagus to maintain airway patency in unconscious persons for positive-pressure ventilation through the attached face mask.

conducting airway  the upper and lower airways considered together.

laryngeal mask airway  a device for maintaining a patent airway without tracheal intubation, consisting of a tube connected to an oval inflatable cuff that seals the larynx.

lower airway  the airway from the inferior end of the larynx to the ends of the terminal bronchioles.

nasopharyngeal airway  a tube inserted through a nostril, across the floor of the nose, and through the nasopharynx so that the tongue does not block air flow in an unconscious person.

oropharyngeal airway  a tube inserted through the mouth and pharynx so that the tongue does not block air flow in an unconscious person.

Airway. Oropharyngeal airway in place.

upper airway  the airway from the nares and lips to the larynx.

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up·per airway (pr)

n.

The portion of the respiratory tract that extends from the nostrils or mouth through the larynx.

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upper

cranial; oral; rostral.

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upper airway

upper respiratory tract. See also airway.

upper burner syndrome

in acupuncture terminology a chronic lung condition caused by an attack by a pathogen.

upper motor neuron

motor nerve pathway originating in the brain and terminating at a peripheral motor neuron. Damage to this pathway releases the peripheral nerve from central control. See also upper motor neuron.

upper respiratory tract (URT)

comprises the nasal cavities, pharynx and larynx. Some anatomists also include the upper segments of the bronchial tree. Inflammation of the URT is common to all species. It is usually caused by infection, most commonly viral, producing a syndrome of frequent, dry cough, serous or mucoid nasal discharge and pain on manual compression of the laynx, pharynx and trachea. It is a common precursor to more serious disease involving the lower respirtory tract.

upper respiratory tract virus disease

see Table 8.2.