Which of the following is a structure of the upper airway?

The larynx is a crucial structure of the upper airway. It is located below the pharynx and serves several important functions, including protecting the trachea against food aspiration, facilitating sound production for speech, and serving as a passageway for air to enter the trachea and lungs. The larynx also plays a role in the cough reflex, which helps clear the airway of irritants.

In contrast, alveoli, the diaphragm, and bronchioles are associated with the lower respiratory system. Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. The diaphragm is a muscle that aids in breathing, while bronchioles are small air passages that branch off from the bronchi and lead into the alveoli. Understanding the distinction between these structures and their locations in the respiratory system is essential for first responders when assessing and managing airway issues.