Respiratory System MCQ Questions and Answers for Practice

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.