Anatomy of the Larynx Flashcards
Where is the larynx found?
enclosed in the pretracheal fascia of the neck - in the visceral layer
Between which vertebral levels is the larynx found?
C4-C6
How does the larynx reduce the chance of aspiration?
rasing of the laryynx towards the oesophagus - epiglottis moves posteriorly which aids the closure of the laryngeal inlet
What are the laryngeal cartilages suspended from?
hyoid bone
What is the role of the laryngeal cartilages?
maintaining patency and allowing movement
preventing forgein body entrance
vocal cords and cough to produce sounds
What forms the adams apple?
laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage
Where do the arytenoid cartilages meet the cricoid cartilage?
cricoarytenoid joint
Where do vocal cords attach?
arytenoid cartilage
What happens if the cricoid is pressed on?
lamina of the cricoid cartilage compresses the oesopahgus so it closes which prevents regurgitation/aspiration but allows respiration
What are the vocal cords covered in?
connective tissue
What do your true vocal cords attach to?
arytenoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage
What do your false vocal cords attach to?
arytenoid cartilage to the epiglottis
Where is the rima glottis found?
between the true vocal cords
Where is the laryngoscope placed?
vallecula - space between the epiglottis and tongue
What are all of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx innervated by?
CN X
What is the role of the cricothyroid muscle?
INCREASES PITCH BY TENSION of vocal cords
What is the attachment of the cricothyroid muscle?
anterolateral to the cricoid cartilage to the inferior hron of the thyroid cartilage
What is the role of the thyroarytenoid muscle?
DECREASES PITCH BY RELAXING vocal cords
What is the attachment of the thyroarytenoid muscle?
posterior thyroid to the anterior arytenoid cartilage
What is the role of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
MAKES VOICE QUIETER BY ADDUCTING vocal cords
What is the attachment of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
muscular process of the arytenoid to anterior cricoid cartilage
What is the role of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?
MAKES VOICE LOUDER BY ABDUCTING vocal cords and opening the rima glottis
What is the attachment of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?
posterior cricoid cartilage to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage
Where do supra glottis tumours drain?
to superior deep cervical nodes
How do glottic tumours present?
on the vocal cords
with voice changes/airway obstruction
How do sub glottic tumours present?
voice/airway obstruction
inferior to the larynx
spread to the paratracheal nodes