What does the lower airway include?

The lower airway consists of structures that are crucial for directing air to the lungs and facilitating gas exchange. This includes the trachea, which conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi, and the lungs themselves, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. Understanding the anatomy of the airway is essential for emergency management, particularly in respiratory distress situations.

The other options encompass parts of the upper airway or structures not traditionally recognized as part of the lower airway. The nose and pharynx, for instance, are part of the upper respiratory tract that primarily functions to filter, warm, and humidify the incoming air. Sinuses also do not contribute to the airflow pathway into the lungs. Lastly, while bronchi are part of the lower airway, the oropharynx is categorized within the upper airway, which differentiates it from the entirety of the lower airway structures.