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Applied Head and Neck Anatomy > Anatomy of the larynx > Flashcards

Anatomy of the larynx Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between the larynx and laryngopharynx

A

Larynx for air

Laryngopharynx for food

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2
Q

What are the functions of the larynx?

A
  1. Airways protection - prevents food/ fluid entering main function!
  2. Ventilation - movement of air in/out of lungs
  3. Role in cough reflex
  4. Role in phonation
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3
Q

Describe the anatomy of the larynx

A
  • Suspended from and lies below the hyoid bone
  • Begins at the laryngeal inlet
  • Ends at lower border of cricoid cartilage C6
  • Continues as the trachea
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4
Q

Identify the features of the larynx

A
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5
Q

Identify the cartilage of the larynx

A
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6
Q

What is significant about the cricoid cartilage?

A

It is the only complete ring of cartilage in the respiratory tract

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7
Q

Identify the cartilage and membranes of the larynx

A
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8
Q

Explain what a cricothyroidotomy is

A
  • A way of providing emergency access to the airways beneath the vocal vords
  • Used on the rare occasion a patients cannot be intubated or ventilated
  • Incision made in the cricothyroid membrane
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9
Q

Identify the features that make up the laryngeal inlet

A
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10
Q

Identify the borders that form the true and false vocal crods

A
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11
Q

What is the largnygral ventricle and saccule and what is the function of these?

A

Ventricle = A small recess between the vestibular and vocal cords

Leads laterally and upwards to the saccule that contains mucous glands to keep the true vocal golds moist

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12
Q

What is the Rima glottidis?

A

The space between the true vocal cords

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13
Q

What type of epithelium lines the larynx? What is the exception

A

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

EXCEPT the true vocal cords which are stratified squamous

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14
Q

How can you view the vocal cords?

A
  1. Endotracheal tube into subglottic region for intubation
  2. Flexible nasoendoscopy, tube inserted by the nasal cavity
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15
Q

What are the 2 broad actions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

A
  • Alter size and shape of the laryngeal inlet
  • Alter the tension/ position of the vocal cords
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16
Q

Explain what happens to the vocal cords during swallowing

A
  • Intrisic laryngeal muscles cause:
  • Vocal cords adduct
  • Laryngeal inlet closes
  • Protects respiratory tract
17
Q

Explain what happens to the vocal cords during inspiration and expiration?

A
  • Intrinsic laryngeal muscles cause:
  • Vocal cords to open (adbuct)
  • Laryngeal inlet opens
  • Air can move through
18
Q

What happens to the vocal cords during the cough reflex?

A
  • Inspire and fill the lungs with air
  • Initally vocal cords close
  • Expiratory muscles contract
  • Build up of intra throracic pressure
  • Vocal cords then abduct to expel the cough
19
Q

What is the only muscle that can abduct the vocal cords and is therefore the most important muscle in the body!

A

Posterior Cricoarytenoid

20
Q

What determines the size/ apeture of the rima glottidis/ glottis?

A

The postion of the arytenoids on the cricoid determines the postion of the true vocal cords

21
Q

What is the nerve supply to the intrinsic muscles of the larynx?

A

All muscles supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of Vagus X)

EXCEPT cricothyroid muscle which is supplied by external branch of superior laryngeal nerve

22
Q

Explain what happens to the vocal cords during phonation

A
  • Vocal cords closely adduct
  • Expired air forced through the closely adducted vocal cords
  • vocal cords vibrate and produce sound waves
23
Q

Explain how the pitch of sound is affected by the vocal cords

A

High pitched sounds → vocal cords are taut

Low pitched sounds → vocal cords are less taut

24
Q

Which muscle increases the tension of the vocal cords? Explain how

A

Cricothyroid muscle

Tilts the thyroid cartilage forward on cricoid cartilage

25
Q

What happens in the larynx during swallowing

A
  • Hyoid bone elevates and moves anteriorally by the action of suprahyoid muscles
  • Larynx moves up and forward
  • Tongue pushes epiglottis posteriorly and aryepiglottic muscles contract
    • Narrows the laryngeal inlet
  • Vocal cords adduct
26
Q

Which nerve supplies sensory information from the supraglottis and glottis?

A

Internal superior laryngeal

27
Q

Which nerve supplies sensory information from the infraglottis (below the vocal cords)?

A

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

28
Q

What kind of things can cause vocal cord palsy?

A
  • Damage to recurrent laryngel nerve in thryroid surgery due to close relationship with inferior thyroid artery
  • Aortic arch aneurysm (damages left RLN)
  • Cancer of the apex of the lung
  • Disease or surgery of the larynx, oesopagus or thyroid
29
Q

What are the effects of unilateral recurrent larygneal nerve palsies?

A
  • Hoarse Voice
  • Ineffective cough reflex
30
Q

Why are bilateral vocal cord palsies so dangerous?

A
  • Vocal cords are paralysed and in a paramedian position
  • Naroow glottis
  • Significant airway obstruction
  • Needs emergency surgery to the airway
31
Q

What are some of the conditions that affect the vocal cords?

A
  • Laryngitis (inflammation)
  • Laryngeal nodules
  • Laryngeal cancer
  • Croup
  • Epiglottitis
  • Laryngeal oedema e.g. allergic reaction
32
Q

How would a patient with a compromised upper airway due to swelling of the larynx, present?

A
  • Stridor
  • Raised resp rate
  • Distress
  • Hypoxia
  • +/- cyanosis

Applied Head and Neck Anatomy (15 decks)

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