Airway anatomy
Airway knowledge links the upper airway, larynx and tracheobronchial tree with ventilation, protection and gas exchange. Supervised practical skills are essential for airway intervention.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Airway anatomy — learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal schematic relationship map for this topic; relationships are organized for study, not intended as an anatomical depiction or a diagnostic algorithm.
Upper airway
Nasal cavity, oral cavity and pharynx conduct inspired air. Upper-airway patency depends on soft-tissue tone, positioning and anatomy.
Larynx
The epiglottis and laryngeal structures help protect the lower airway during swallowing; vocal folds are involved in phonation and glottic opening.
Tracheobronchial tree
The trachea branches into main bronchi and progressively smaller airways, ending in gas-exchanging respiratory units.
Anatomical variation
Age, tissue swelling, facial structure, previous surgery and pathology can affect airway assessment and procedural difficulty.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.