16.2 Larynx

Question 1

Identify the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage.

Answer 1

-

Question 2

Identify the arytenoid cartilage and epiglottic cartilage.

Answer 2

-

Question 3

Identify the thyrohyoid membrane and the median thyrohyoid ligament.

Answer 3

-

Question 4

Identify the cicothyroid ligament and the cricotracheal ligament.

Answer 4

-

Question 5

Identify the superior laryngeal nerve in this region.

• From where does this branch?
• Locate the following branches of the superior laryngeal nerve.
  
  • -Internal Branch
  • -External Branch

Answer 5

• Superior laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve, it descends by the pharynx behind the internal carotid artery.
• The Internal branch branches proximally and enters into the larynx and pharynx.
• The external branch dives into the cricothyroid cartilage

Question 6

Identify the superior laryngeal artery.

Describe its course and source.

Answer 6

runs with internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve.

External Carotid a. – Superior Thyroid a. – Superior laryngeal a.

Question 7

Identify the right and left recurrent laryngeal nerves.

Describe the root and course for each.

Answer 7

• They each branch off vagus nerve of their side.
• The right and left nerves are not symmetrical, with the left nerve looping under the aortic arch, and the right nerve looping under the right subclavian artery then traveling upwards.

Question 8

In the hemisected larynx, identify the following:

• Supraglottic space (vestibule)
• Vestibular folds
• Ventricle
• Vocal folds
• Subglottic space (infraglottic cavity)

Answer 8

• Supraglottic space/Vestibule: the region superior to the vestibular folds.
• Vestibular folds: false vocal cords
• Ventricle: between vestibular and vocal folds.
• Vocal folds: true vocal cords
• Subglottic space/infraglottic cavity: the region below the vocal folds extending down to the first tracheal ring.

Question 9

Identify and describe the aryepiglottic fold

Answer 9

a triangular opening at the entrance of the larynx that is narrow in front, wide behind, and sloping obliquely downward and backward

Question 10

Identify the piriform recess. Describe its clinical importance.

Answer 10

adjacent to the opening of the larynx on either side of the laryngopharynx.
Common location for choking.

Question 11

Identify the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. Describe its function and innervation.

Answer 11

Fxn: Abducts the vocal cords.
Innervation: Recurent laryngeal (from vagus).

Question 12

Identify the Transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles. Describe their function and innervation.

Answer 12

Fxn: adduct the vocal cords. The aryepiglottic muscle together with the transverse arytenoid and the thyroarytenoid work as a sphincter and close the larynx as we swallow or cough.

Innervation: recurrent laryngeal from vagus.

Question 13

Identify the thyroartenoid muscle. Describe its function and innervation.

Answer 13

• Fxn: Adducts and Relaxes the vocal cords.

- Innervation: Recurrent laryngeal n. from vagus

Question 14

Identify the lateral cricothyroid muscle. Describe its function and innervation.

Answer 14

• Fxn: Rotates arytenoid cartilages medially thereby adducting vocal cords and closing the rimma glottidis.
• Innervation: Recurrent laryngeal from vagus.