3.1. Structure of the larynx

Question 1

what is the larynx made of and where is it located?

Answer 1

cartilage skeleton, membranes, ligaments and vocal fold structure, muscles and nerves. it sits between hyoid bone and trachea

Question 2

what is the function of the larynx?

Answer 2

respiration, phonation and it acts as a protection of the airways during swallowing

Question 3

list the 3 paired and 3 unpaired cartilages of the larynx

Answer 3

unpaired: circoid cartilage, thyroid cartilage, epiglottis.
piared: arytenoid cartilage, corniculate cartilage cuneiform cartilage.
(tritical cartilage: small paired cartilage thats not present in everyone)

Question 4

which ligaments/membranes are attached to the larynx

Answer 4

extrinsic ligaments/membrane: attach laryngeal component to other structures
intrinsic ligament/membrane: attach laryngeal components to one another. connects cartilages and supports vocal folds

Question 5

name the intrinsic ligaments/ membranes

Answer 5

quadrangular membrane: between epiglottis and arytenoid/corniculate cartilages
aryepiglottic folds: formed by superior border of quadrangular mebrane. runs along inferior edge of epiglottis to the corniculate cartilage. contains cuneiform cartilage.

Question 6

define the vocal folds

Answer 6

paired tissue masses protruding into the air stream of the larynx. a detour which air must pass as it increases velocity(turbulence). the movement of the vocal folds control the sound production.

Question 7

what is rima glottidis and how does its shape change during speech

Answer 7

the space between the vocal folds.
normal respiration: narrow wedge shaped.
forced inspiration: wide and kite shaped,
phonation: sit shaped

Question 8

what is the purpose of the laryngeal joints?

Answer 8

they move the folds in and out of airstream to start or stop phonation.(cricoarytenoid joints) or to alter the pitch(cricothyroid joints)

Question 9

explain the movement of the cricoarytenoid joints

Answer 9

they slide and rotate the arytenoid cartilage. this adducts and abducts the vocal folds and creates phonation

Question 10

explain the movement of the cricothyroid joints

Answer 10

they sit between the cricoid and thyroid cartilage and rock the thyroid back and forth which alters the pitch of the voice by streching or relaxing the vocal folds