Clinical Relevance Of The Larynx Flashcards
What else does the pretracheal layer enclose
Strap muscles Thyroid gland Trachea Larynx Recurrent laryngeal nerves
What is e exact location of the larynx
Found anterior of laryngopharynx
Between carotid sheaths
Between C4-C6
How si the larynx an important part of the upper RESP tract
Communicates with oropharynx above
Communicates to trachea below
At C6 at cricoid cartilage larynx becomes trachea and pharynx becomes oes
How does the larynx keep the upper RESP tract open
Rigid cartilage skeleton and little bone
Cartilages suspended by hyoid
Prevent foreign bodies into lrt helped by the vocal cords and cough reflex
Produce sound also
What dos the skeleton of the larynx compose of
Epiglottis Hyoid bone Thyrohyoid mem Thyroid cartilage Cricothyroid mem Arch cricoid mem Trachea
What is important about the Cricothyroid mem
Used as access point for Cricothyroid puncture for air
What is special about the epiglottis
Made of elastic cartilage whilst all other cartilages of the larynx consists of hyaline cartilage
What is the only complete circle of cartilage in the larynx
Cricoid
The trachea appears to be a complete circle but what is it
C shaped cart and the posterior is trachealis smooth muscle
What are the two differnt parts of the cricoid
Arch anterior
Lamina posterior
What is the Adam’s apple
Laryngeal prominence
What type of joint is the Cricothyroid joint and what does it allow
Synovial
Allows nodding anterior to posterior
What are the horns of the arytenoid cartilages
Vocal process - attach to vocal cords
Muscular process -attach of muscles
Corniculate - cartilage of its own
What are vocal cords
Thickened ligaments between thyroid cartilages and vocal processes of arytenoid cartilages
What is the rimma glottidus
Space where air passes thro when Breathing and when trying to talk vibrates vocal cords
What do the cuneiform and corniculate cartilages do
No part in moving vocal cords just support laryngeal inlet
How many cartilages all together
9 3 pairs Cuneiform Corniculate Arytenoid
3 singles
Epiglottis
Thyroid
Cricoid
What is endotracheal intubation
Placing a breathing tube inside the trachea
Inserted through the mouth oropharynx
Laryngeal inlet trachea
What is a laryngoscopy
View interior of larynx
Blade into valeculla to view
What is the mucosa of the larynx like
Mainly RESP mucosa - mucous sec mucociliary escalator
Except stratified squamous epi
What are false vocal cords
Aka vestibular folds
Superior
Protect airway
What are true vocal cord
Have an affect on speech
Thickened ligament when not covered in mucosa when is covered in mucosa is a vocal fold
Inferior
What cranial nerve supplies all laryngeal mucosa and how is this done
CN X vagus
SUPEIROR to vocal fold - internal laryngeal branches of superior laryngeal branch
Vocal fold and inferior - recurrent laryngeal branches
What do the Cricothyroid muscles do
Tense vocal cords
Allow nodding
What does the thyro-arytenoid muscles do
Relax vocal cords
Pull arytenoid cartilages toward thyroid cartilages
What do the lateral crico-arytenoid muscles do
Adduct vocal cords
Rotate arytenoid cartilages so that the vocal processes of the cartilages come together in the midline
What do the arytenoid muscles do
Transverse and oblique
Adduct vocals cords
Assist lateral crico-arytenoids to gently close rimma glottidus so no air space
Sphincter function
What does the posterior crico-arytenoid muscle do
Abduct the vocal cords
Rotate arytenoids carts so that vocal processes moves laterally
Widens rims glottidis
Normal respiration position
Laryngeal muscles relaxed
Forced respiration position
Posterior crico-arytenoid contract - rimma glottidis as wide as possible
Phonation position
Arytenoids contract assist lateral crico-arytenoids
Force air over vocal cords
Whispering position
Lateral crico-arytenoids contracts pull vocal cords at front but still small space at the back open
What si the anatomy of oral sounds
Soft palate tenses cn v3 and descends CN x to close off nasopharynx
Direct air to oral cav
Tongue CN Xii interrupt air and teeth/lips CN VII hep prod vowels and consonants
What su the anatomy of nasal sounds
Soft palate tenses CN v3 and descends CN x close off oropharynx
Air to nasal cav
Prod n m ing sound dep on tongue position CN Xii and teeth/lips CN VII
How to clinically test vagus nerve
Ask pt to swallow some water
Listen to them speak
Ask pt to cough
What sit he anatomy of coughing
Dia inv by phrenic nerve
Close vocal ligaments by vagus
Contract abdominal wall increase pressure
Open vocal chords sudden
Tense v3 and elevate CN Xi soft palate for air thro mouth
What is aspiration
Inhalation of liquid or solid into lungs
Abnormal swallowing
Breathing in
What is done if there is a laryngeal obstruction
Emergency air management
Heinrich manoeuvre
Cricothyroid puncture
Where is the larynx
Enclosed in pretracheal fascia in the visceral layer
Just behind strap muscles
