Page 1 of 117
Fisdap Airway Exam 2025–2026 |
Practice Questions & Answers | Verified
Study Guide | A+
1. Which structure is known as the “guardian of the airway”
because it prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Epiglottis
C) Cricoid cartilage
D) Vallecula
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped cartilaginous flap that
covers the laryngeal inlet during swallowing, directing
food/liquid into the esophagus.
,Page 2 of 117
2. What is the narrowest portion of the adult airway?
A) Cricoid ring
B) Glottis
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Carina
Answer: B
Rationale: In adults the vocal cords (glottis) are the narrowest
part; in children the cricoid ring is the narrowest.
3. The narrowest portion of the pediatric airway is the ______.
Answer: cricoid ring (cricoid cartilage)
Rationale: The pediatric cricoid cartilage is the only complete
cartilaginous ring and is relatively narrower than the glottis; it is
the site of functional narrowing in a child’s airway.
4. Which cartilage is the only complete ring (360 degrees) in
the larynx?
,Page 3 of 117
A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Cricoid cartilage
C) Arytenoid cartilage
D) Epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is a signet-ring shaped structure
that completely encircles the airway below the thyroid cartilage.
It provides the attachment for many laryngeal muscles.
5. The thyroid cartilage is also referred to as the ______.
Answer: Adam’s apple
Rationale: The laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage is
more pronounced in males due to the effect of androgens.
6. All of the following are structures of the upper airway
EXCEPT:
A) Nasal cavity
, Page 4 of 117
B) Pharynx
C) Larynx
D) Trachea
Answer: D
Rationale: The trachea is considered part of the lower airway
(glottis to pulmonary capillary membrane). The upper airway
consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
7. Air passes through which order of structures during normal
nasal ventilation?
Answer: atmosphere → nose → nasopharynx → oropharynx
→ pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles →
alveoli
Rationale: This pathway describes the anatomical route of air
from the external environment to the gas-exchange surface.
Fisdap Airway Exam 2025–2026 |
Practice Questions & Answers | Verified
Study Guide | A+
1. Which structure is known as the “guardian of the airway”
because it prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Epiglottis
C) Cricoid cartilage
D) Vallecula
Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped cartilaginous flap that
covers the laryngeal inlet during swallowing, directing
food/liquid into the esophagus.
,Page 2 of 117
2. What is the narrowest portion of the adult airway?
A) Cricoid ring
B) Glottis
C) Thyroid cartilage
D) Carina
Answer: B
Rationale: In adults the vocal cords (glottis) are the narrowest
part; in children the cricoid ring is the narrowest.
3. The narrowest portion of the pediatric airway is the ______.
Answer: cricoid ring (cricoid cartilage)
Rationale: The pediatric cricoid cartilage is the only complete
cartilaginous ring and is relatively narrower than the glottis; it is
the site of functional narrowing in a child’s airway.
4. Which cartilage is the only complete ring (360 degrees) in
the larynx?
,Page 3 of 117
A) Thyroid cartilage
B) Cricoid cartilage
C) Arytenoid cartilage
D) Epiglottis
Answer: B
Rationale: The cricoid cartilage is a signet-ring shaped structure
that completely encircles the airway below the thyroid cartilage.
It provides the attachment for many laryngeal muscles.
5. The thyroid cartilage is also referred to as the ______.
Answer: Adam’s apple
Rationale: The laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage is
more pronounced in males due to the effect of androgens.
6. All of the following are structures of the upper airway
EXCEPT:
A) Nasal cavity
, Page 4 of 117
B) Pharynx
C) Larynx
D) Trachea
Answer: D
Rationale: The trachea is considered part of the lower airway
(glottis to pulmonary capillary membrane). The upper airway
consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
7. Air passes through which order of structures during normal
nasal ventilation?
Answer: atmosphere → nose → nasopharynx → oropharynx
→ pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles →
alveoli
Rationale: This pathway describes the anatomical route of air
from the external environment to the gas-exchange surface.
