Anatomy of the Larynx Flashcards
what happens to the position of the larynx from childhood to adulthood?
descends down in the throat
the larynx is a sphincter T or F
T
what joins the cartilages of the larynx?
connective tissue
what 2 structures does the larynx lie between?
pharynx
trachea
what fascia does the larynx lie in?
visceral layer of pretracheal fascia
where is the pretracheal fascia in relation to the investing fascia?
deep
how is the larynx held up in the neck?
via the pretrachial fascia’s attachment to the hyoid bone and mandible
what is the laryngopharynx?
region of the pharynx from epiglottis to oesophagus?
where is the larynx in relation to the laryngopharynx?
it’s anterior to it
most anterior aspect of thyroid cartilage?
adam’s apple/laryngeal prominence
what vertebral level is the laryngeal prominence LOCATED?
C4/5
at what part of the thyroid cartilage and vertebral level does the oesophagus start
C6
cricoid cartilage
what bone lifts the larynx up?
hyoid bone
what is the laryngeal inlet?
opening into airway
how does the epiglottis close the laryngeal inlet?
it moves posteriorly to cover it
how are alveoli kept open?
surfactant
functions of larynx?
patency of URT
prevents FB entry
produces sound
name the horns of the hyoid bone
2 lesser
2 greater
only component of the cartilaginous airway that is a complete ring?
cricoid cartilage
what 2 structures join to make the cricothyroid joint?
facet of cricoid cartilage
inferior horn of thyroid cartilage
what cartilage is important for movement of vocal folds in larynx?
arytenoid cartilage
name the processes of the arytenoid cartilages
superior
vocal
muscular
what connects to form the cricoarytenoid joint?
muscular process of arytenoid
cricoid cartilage
the arytenoid cartilage is found on the exterior surface of the larynx T or F
F, found on interior
what vertebral level is the cricoid found at?
C6
where is the laryngeal ventricle in relation to the vocal cords?
between false and true cords
the false vocal cord is more superior than the true cord T or F
T
when will the vocal fold become the true vocal cord?
when it gets mucosa (without it it is just a ligament)
what membrane thickens to form the vestibular ligament?
quadrangular membrane
what 2 structures does the true vocal cord join?
vocal process of arytenoid
thyroid cartilage
what 2 structures does the false vocal cord join?
arytenoid
epiglottis
what is the rima glottidis?
space between the true vocal cords
what is the aryepiglottic fold?
superior border of the quadrangular membrane that forms the laryngeal inlet
all intrinsic muscles of the larynx are skeletal muscle T or F
T
name the 2 “antagonistic” pairs of vocal cord movements
tension/relaxation (determine pitch)
add/abduction (quiet/loud)
innervation to intrinsic muscles of larynx?
CNX
what do the cricothyroid muscles do?
tense vocal ligaments to increase pitch
what do the thyroarytenoid/vocalis muscles do?
relax vocal ligaments to decrease pitch
why do men have a lower voice than women?
cords and cartilage are thicker and more robust in men
what muscles are responsible for adduction of the vocal cords?
lateral crico-arytenoid
what effect will adduction of the vocal cords have on the voice?
will make it quiet
what do the arytenoid muscles do?
adduct the vocal cords to make the voice quiet
which intrinsic muscles of the larynx look like the scottish flag?
arytenoid muscles
name the only set of muscles responsible for abduction of the vocal cords?
posterior crico-arytenoid muscles
how is the voice made louder?
via opening of the rima glottidis
what muscles help you to whisper?
lateral cricoarytenoids
what muscles help with phonation?
arytenoids
what laryngeal tumour will present with swollen lymph nodes and why
supraglottic tumour
drains to superior deep cervical nodes
what laryngeal tumour will present with voice changes only?
glottic tumour
subglottic tumours present with what?
voice/air obstruction
what muscles help to build pressure to allow speech
anterolateral abdominal wall muscles
inspiratory intercostal muscles
when will vibration of the vocal cords occur?
only when the subglottal threshold is reached
how is entry closed off to the nasopharynx?
tense and elevate soft palate
how is entry closed off to the oropharynx?
tense and descend soft palate
only intrinsic muscle not to be supplied by inferior laryngeal nerve?
cricothyroid
what nerve supplies the mucosa above the vocal fords?
INTERNAL laryngeal nerve
what nerve supplies the muscosa below the vocal cords?
INFERIOR laryngeal nerve
nerve supply to cricothyroid?
external laryngeal nerve
the left recurrent laryngeal nerve becomes X nerve at the level of Y.
X- inferior laryngeal nerve
Y= cricothyroid joint
sensory and motor supply to palate, pharynx and larynx?
CNX
how do you test if CNX is working in the pharynx?
ask patient to take a small sip of water
how do you test if CNX is working in the larynx?
listen to the patient speak
ask them to cough
the recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of what? where does it branch?
CNX
mediastinum
superior laryngeal nerve is a branch of what?
CNX
