Anatomy - The Internal Larynx and Pharynx Flashcards
What nerve(s) are related to the superior thyroid arteries?
The external laryngeal nerves.
What nerve(s) are related to the inferior thyroid arteries?
The recurrent laryngeal nerve crosses the inferior thyroid artery.
How many parathyroid glands are there?
4.
Where are the parathyroid glands located?
Posterior surface of thyroid glands.
How are the parathyroid glands developed?
From the pharyngeal pouches.
Name 3 functions of the larynx.
- Phonation. 2. Cough reflex. 3. Protection of the lower respiratory tract.
What is the epithelium of the vocal folds? and why?
Stratified squamous epithelium. This is more robust and can withstand the vibrations and wear and tear.
What is the blood supply to the larynx?
Superior and inferior laryngeal arteries (branches of the thyroid arteries).
What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve supply?
Motor innervation to intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except cricothyroid).
What does the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve supply?
Sensory innervation to laryngopharynx and larynx.
What does the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve supply?
Motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle.
Name the 3 unpaired cartilages in the larynx.
- Epiglottis (elastic cartilage). 2. Thyroid (hyaline cartilage). 3. Cricoid (hyaline cartilage).
What do the two sheets of thyroid cartilage form in the midline?
The laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple).
What do the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage articulate with?
They form a synovial joint with the cricoid cartilage.
What do the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage articulate with?
The hyoid bone.
What vertebral level is the inferior border of the larynx at?
C6.
Name the 3 paired cartilages in the larynx.
- Arytenoid. 2. Cuneiform. 3. Corniculate.
What do the arytenoid cartilages articulate with?
The base articulates with the cricoid cartilage and the apex articulates with the corniculate cartilages.
Where are cuneiform cartilages located?
Within the ary-epiglottic folds. They strengthen the folds.
What is the space between the vocal cords called?
Rima glottidis.
What is the superior vestibular folds also known as?
False vocal folds.
What are the extrinsic muscles of the pharynx?
The suprahyoids, infrahyoids and stylopharyngeus.
What is the function of the extrinsic muscles of the larynx?
They move the larynx superiorly and inferiorly during swallowing.
Name the 4 infrahyoid muscles.
- Omohyoid (scapula to hyoid). 2. Sternohyoid (sternum to hyoid). 3. Sternothyroid (sternum to thyroid). 4. Thyrohyoid (thyroid to hyoid).
What is the function of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx?
They control the shape of the rima glottidis, and the length and tension of the vocal folds.
What is the innervation of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve.
What intrinsic laryngeal muscle is not innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Cricothyroid.
What is the innervation of the cricothyroid muscle?
External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
What is the function of the cricothyroid muscles?
Stretches and tenses the vocal cords. Important for the creation of speech.
What is the function of the thyroarytenoid muscles?
Relaxes the vocal ligament, allowing for a softer voice.
What is the function of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles?
Abduction of the vocal cords; the only muscles capable of widening the rima glottidis.
What is the function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscles?
Adduction of the vocal folds; narrow the rima glottidis.
What is the function of the transverse arytenoids muscles?
Adduction of the arytenoid cartilages, narrows the laryngeal inlet.
What nerve passes through the parotid gland?
The facial nerve - Cn 7.
What are the 5 branches of Cn 7.
- Temporal. 2. Zygomatic. 3. Buccal. 4. Mandibular. 5. Cervical.