A & P of Laryngeal System Flashcards
framework of larynx
musculo-cartilaginous structure located at top of trachea
adjacent to C4-C6 vertebrae
44 mm in males
36 mm in females
inner larynx
constricted tube with smooth surface
cartilage connected by ligaments and membranes
lined with wet,smooth mucous membrane
extrinsic ligaments
provide attachment between hyoid or trachea and cartilage of larynx
intrinsic ligaments
connect cartilages within larynx and form support structure for cavity of larynx and VF
glottis
space between true VF
most important for speech; valving to phonate
cartilages of larynx
3 unpaired: cricoid thyroid epiglottis 3 paired: arytenoids corniculates cuneiforms
cricoid cartilage
most inferior point of larynx - rests on trachea
ring-shaped
cricoid arch: low in front, allows VF to pass over
posterior quadrate lamina: point of arctic for arytenoids & thyroids
thyroid cartilage
largest laryngeal cartilage
anterior larynx
articulates with cricoid to allow it to rock back and forth
anterior point of attachment for VF
in posterior, inferior cornu artics with cricoid; superior cornu artics with hyoid
epiglottis
leaf-shaped
projects up beyond larynx and hyoid
protects larynx during swallowing
flops over larynx to divert food into esophagus
arytenoids
pyramid-shaped
sit on upper surface of cricoid
critical for normal phonation: provide attachment for VF & move them to midline
corniculates
sit on superior surface of arytenoids
prominent landmarks in aryepiglottic folds
cuneiforms
embedded in aryepiglottic folds above and anterior to corniculates
arytenoid landmarks
4 surfaces & 2 processes:
anterior surface: projects forward to form vocal process
lateral surface: surface for muscular process
medial surface: even surface for midline glottic closure
base: artics with cricoid
muscular process: attachment of LCA & PCA
vocal process: attachment of VF
hyoid bone
only bone in larynx
only bone in body that doesn’t artic with any other bone
U-shaped
link between tongue & larynx - extrinsic muscles attach via greater and lesser cornu and corpus
movement of the cartilages
cricothyroid joints: pitch adjustment
cricoarytenoid joints: VF abduction and adduction
structure of vocal folds
5 layers of tissue:
- epithelium
- superficial layer of lamina propria
- intermediate layer of lamina propria
- deep layer of lamina propria
- thyrovocalis muscle
epithelium
composed of nonkeratinizing stratified squamous epithelial cells (maintains hydration & protects during vibration)
most pliable layer of VF
glistening white appearance
Basement Membrane Zone (BMZ)
area between epithelium & SLLP
secures epithelium to lamina propria
most susceptible to injury due to vibration or shearing
leads to scars forming which may lead to nodules or benign tumor
Superficial Layer of Lamina Propria
elastin fibers in random orientation
can be extensively stretched during phonation
prone to swelling: Reinke’s Edema
Intermediate Layer of Lamina Propria
elastin fibers in A-P orientation
slightly less pliable than SLLP
Deep Layer of Lamina Propria
collagen fibers in A-P orientation
less elastic, provides more structure to VF
Thyroarytenoid Muscle (Vocalis Muscle)
makes up bulk of VF men: 17-21 mm women: 11-15 mm infants: 2.5-3 mm only active portion of VF moves to send other layers into vibration
Cover-Body Model
cover: epithelium + superficial layer of lamina propria
transition: intermediate + deep layers of lamina propria
body: vocalis muscle