Anatomy W10 - The larynx (and pharynx)

Question 1

At what level in the neck does the pharynx and larynx stop and the trachea start?

Answer 1

C6

Question 2

Where does the Superior constrictor originate?

Answer 2

The pterygoid hamulus

The pterygomandibular raphe

Question 3

Where does the middle constrictor originate?

Answer 3

The greater horn of the hyoid bone

Question 4

Where does the inferior constrictor originate?

Answer 4

Partly from the cricoid cartilage

Partly from the thyroid cartilage

Question 5

What nerve provides special sensory for taste to the POSTERIOR 1/3rd of the tongue?

Answer 5

The glosspharyngeal CN9

- it also has sensory supply to the posterior 1/3rd.

Question 6

If you had to take a histological sample of the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue, what would be present between the stratified squamous epithelium and the muscle of the tongue?

Answer 6

The lingual tonsils - rich in lymphocytes

Question 7

Describe the boundaries to the inlet of the larynx

Answer 7

Superior border = epiglottis

Inferior border = aryepiglottic folds

Question 8

What epithelium is present within the larynx?

Answer 8

Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium

However - the vocal folds are stratified squamous epithelium (this is why they appear white)

Question 9

Describe the sphincter mechanism during swallowing.

Answer 9

The vocal chords adduct/come together

When food contacts the epiglottis it closes it over the inlet of the larynx

Question 10

Where is there a synovial joint in the larynx?

Answer 10

Between the cricoid cartilage and the arytenoid cartilage

Question 11

What are the vocal folds attached to?

Answer 11

The arytenoid cartilages

Question 12

What creates vocal sounds?

Answer 12

Vibrations of the vocal folds

sounds are modified by the upper respiratory tract i.e. lips, nose

Question 13

Describe what occurs to the vocal folds when shouting.

Answer 13

The arytenoid cartilages move together making the vocal folds come closer together.

= more intense and loud sounds

Question 14

Describe what occurs to the vocal folds in an individual with a deep voice.

Answer 14

The vocal folds are elongated

Question 15

Describe what occurs to the vocal folds in an individual with a high pitched voice.

Answer 15

Shorten and increase the tension within the vocal folds via;

The cricothyroid muscle contracts together on both sides via the vagus nerve.
This tilts the thyroid cartilage downwards and forwards
This shortens and increases the tension within the folds

= higher pitch.

Question 16

What nerve gives both sensory and motor innervation to the larynx?

Answer 16

The vagus nerve CN10

Question 17

Describe the mechanism of the cough reflex.

Answer 17

A foreign body contacts the mucosa of the larynx
(The afferent limb of the cough reflex is via the vagus nerve.)

This causes the person to take a deep breath in using the muscles of the diaphragm

The vocal folds to adduct

The pressure rises and the abdominal/pelvic floor muscles contract forcing the air upwards.

The diaphragm relaxes

The vocal folds abduct/move apart

The air explodes up and out of the chest to remove the foreign body.

Question 18

What muscle pulls the arytenoid cartilages and the vocal folds together?

Answer 18

the interarytenoid muscles

Question 19

If a patient had a pathology of the vocal folds, what lymph nodes would be enlarged?

Answer 19

The deep cervical lymph nodes

Question 20

What pathology can people who use their voices a lot suffer from i.e. singers?

Answer 20

Nodes