Respiratory System MCQs Quiz Multiple Choice Questions & Answers

1. The term respiration refers to

1. ventilation (breathing).
2. gas exchange within the lungs.
3. O2 utilization within the cells.
4. all of the above.

2. A structure that is not a part of the respiratory system is

1. the nasal cavity.
2. the pharynx.
3. the trachea.
4. the esophagus.

3. The functions of the respiratory system include all of the following except

1. providing O2 to the bloodstream and removing CO2.
2. creating air pressure that allows for swallowing.
3. enabling vocalization as expired air passes over the vocal cords.
4. assisting in abdominal compression.

4. Which of the following is (are) not located within the nasal cavity?

1. conchae
2. meatuses
3. uvula
4. nasal septum

5. The roof of the nasal cavity is formed medially by

1. the superior concha.
2. the nasal bone.
3. the sphenoid bone.
4. the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.

6. Mucus is secreted into the nasal cavity by

1. the goblet cells.
2. the vestibule.
3. the adenoids.
4. the choanae.

7. Which of the following does not refer to a paranasal sinus?

1. maxillary
2. pterygoidal
3. sphenoidal
4. frontal

8. A child who is a persistent mouth-breather because of blocked air passage in the nasopharynx probably has

1. palatine tonsils.
2. nasal meatuses.
3. paranasal sinuses.
4. pharyngeal tonsils.

9. Adams apple is used to refer to

1. the trachea.
2. the thyroid cartilage.
3. the larynx.
4. the epiglottis.

10. The vocal folds are attached to

1. the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.
2. the cuneiform and cricoid cartilages.
3. the corniculate and thyroid cartilages.
4. the arytenoid and thyroid cartilages.

11. Which of the following does (do) not apply to the trachea or bronchi?

1. goblet cells
2. carina
3. cilia
4. simple squamous epithelium

12. Which of the following is the correct sequence in which inspired air flows?

1. choana, pharynx, nasal fossa, larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lung
2. nasal fossa, pharynx, larynx, choana, trachea, bronchus, and lung
3. nasal fossa, choana, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lung
4. choana, nasal fossa, larynx, pharynx, trachea, bronchus, and lung

13. On its way to the pulmonary alveoli, inspired air comes in contact with various kinds of epithelia in the sequence

1. simple squamous, stratified squamous, simple cuboidal, and pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelia.
2. pseudostratified ciliated columnar, stratified squamous, simple cuboidal, and simple squamous epithelia.
3. stratified squamous, pseudostratified ciliated columnar, simple cuboidal, and simple squamous epithelia.
4. pseudostratified ciliated columnar, stratified squamous, simple squamous, and simple cuboidal epithelia.

14. The functional units of the respiratory system, where gas exchange occurs are

1. the pulmonary alveoli.
2. the pleurae.
3. the lungs.
4. the pulmonary vessels.

15. Which of the following statements is false concerning the pulmonary alveoli?

1. They are lined with ciliated epithelium.
2. They are moistened with surfactant.
3. They number about 350 million per lung.
4. They permit diffusion of respiratory gases.

16. The region where a bronchus and pulmonary vessel enter and exit the lung is

1. the capsule.
2. the base.
3. the hilum.
4. the apex.

17. Which of the following statements is false concerning the structure of the left lung?

1. It is subdivided into a superior lobe and an inferior lobe.
2. It contains a cardiac notch.
3. It contains 10 bronchial segments.
4. Its apex extends above the level of the clavicle.

18. Of the following serous membranes, the one that lines the thoracic walls and the thoracic surface of the diaphragm is

1. the parietal pleura.
2. the pleural peritoneum.
3. the mediastinal pleura.
4. the visceral pleura.

19. The pleurae perform all of the following functions except that of

1. separating the thoracic viscera.
2. secreting serous fluid.
3. forming an effective pressure chamber.
4. facilitating the diffusion of respiratory gases.

20. The principal muscles responsible for the inspiration phase of pulmonary ventilation are

1. the diaphragm and internal intercostal muscles.
2. the scalenes and internal intercostal muscles.
3. the internal and external intercostal muscles.
4. the diaphragm, external intercostal muscles, and internal intercostal muscles (interchondral part).

21. When the external intercostal muscles contract, the thoracic volume increases

1. vertically.
2. anteroposteriorly.
3. inferiorly.
4. superiorly.

22. Which of the following muscles does (do) not contract during extreme forced expiration—as in coughing?

1. the internal intercostals
2. the transverse abdominis
3. the diaphragm
4. the internal abdominal oblique

23. Air that is moved in and out of the lungs during normal quiet breathing is called

1. tidal volume.
2. vital capacity.
3. residual volume.
4. inspiratory reserve volume.

24. When a person takes a very deep breath of air just prior to diving into water, this volume of air is referred to as

1. the tidal volume.
2. the vital capacity.
3. the residual volume.
4. the inspiratory reserve volume.

25. When the “wind” is knocked out of a football player because of a hard blow to the thorax or abdomen, the airthat is actually forced out of his lungs is

1. the tidal volume.
2. the vital capacity.
3. the residual volume.
4. the inspiratory reserve volume.

26. The principal respiratory center that directly controls breathing is located in

1. the cerebrum.
2. the hypothalamus.
3. the lung.
4. the medulla oblongata.

27. The diaphragm is innervated by

1. the inspiratory nerves.
2. the phrenic nerves.
3. the vagus nerves.
4. the intercostal nerves.

28. Which of the following does (do) not contain respiratory chemoreceptors?

1. aortic arch
2. carotid arteries
3. lungs
4. medulla oblongata

29. The two cranial nerves that transmit sensory information to the brain from the peripheral, respiratory chemoreceptors are

1. the facial and vagus nerves.
2. the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves.
3. the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves.
4. the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.

30. During embryonic development, the olfactory placode becomes

1. the nasal cavity.
2. the larynx.
3. the trachea.
4. the lung.

31. Which statement is true concerning the laryngotrachial bud?

1. It forms from endoderm.
2. It forms during the fourth week of development.
3. It gives rise to the trachea.
4. All of the above are true

32. Which of the following conditions does not apply directly to the lungs?

1. pneumonia
2. influenza
3. emphysema
4. tuberculosis

33. Which of the following conditions could not result from trauma?

1. epistaxis
2. pneumothorax
3. eupnea
4. collapsed lung

34. The disease that causes breakdown of the pulmonary alveoli, thus increasing the size of the air spaces and decreasing the surface area, is called

1. emphysema.
2. asthma.
3. tuberculosis
4. pneumonia.