A33 - Larynx Flashcards
where is the larynx enclosed?
visceral layer of the pre tracheal fascia
what lies anterior to the visceral layer?
muscular layer
what is the location of the larynx?
Found anterior to the laryngopharynx
Between the carotid sheath structures
Between C4-C6 vertebral levels
what is the borders laryngopharynx?
region of the pharynx from the epiglottis to the oesophagus
what is the most important part of the Upper Respiratory Tract?
larynx
where does the larynx communicate?
oropharynx and nasopharynx above via the oral and nasal cavity and the trachea below
at vertebral level C6 what happens to the larynx?
becomes the trachea
at vertebral level C6 what happens to the pharynx?
becomes the oesophagus
what does patent mean?
keep the respiratory tract open
what is the skeleton of the larynx composed of?
cartilages suspended from the hyoid bone
what is the functions of the larynx?
- maintaining patency of URT
- help prevent entry of foreign bodies into LRT
- produce sound
how is the thyroid cartilage connected to the hyoid bone?
thyrohyoid membrane
how many types of cartilage is there in total in larynx?
9 in total
- 3 pairs (6)
- 3 individual
what is an important feature of the cricoid cartilage?
in a cross section all cartilages are C shaped whereas this is completely enclosed - D shaped
what type of cartilage is the larynx made of? and what is the exception to this rule?
hyaline
- epiglottis which is elastic
what is located between the arch of the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage?
cricothyroid membrane
what is the clinical importance for the cricothyroid membrane ?
access point for a cricothyroid puncture to gain access to airways
what is the “c –shaped” anterior rings of hyaline cartilage maintain patency?
tracheas
what smooth msucle completes the posterior wall of the trachea?
trachealis
what are the two horns of the thyroid cartilage?
superior and inferior
what is the anterior prominence on the thyroid cartilage?
laryngeal prominence
the cricid cartilage becomes broader and thicker at the back to form what?
lamina of cricoid
what is the synovial joint between the thyroid and cricoid cartilage?
cricothyroid joint
what is the movement of the cricothyroid joint ?
nodding movement
what is the way into the larynx?
laryngeal inlet
what are the paired cartilages superior to the lamina of the cricoid cartilage?
arytenoid cartilages
what is the separate point on the arytenoid cartilage?
corniculate cartilages
where do the vocal cords attach?
thyroid cartilage
vocal processes of arytenoid cartilages
what are the two vocal processes on the arytenoid cartilage?
muscular process (posterior) vocal process (lateral)
what attaches to the vocal processes?
vocal cords
what attaches to the muscular processes?
muscles that move the vocal cords
where to the vocal cords attach to the thyroid cartilage?
anteriorly to the internal aspect of the thyroid cartilage
what is the thickened elastic tissue between arytenoid and thyroid cartilage?
vocal cord/ligament