ENT Laryngeal Anatomy

Question 1

What is the only adjacent structure to the larynx?

Answer 1

Hyoid Bone

Question 2

Where is the larynx located?

Answer 2

In the Visceral Layer of the Pretracheal Fascia of the Neck

Between the C4-C6 Vertebral Levels

Question 3

What structures lie close to the larynx?

Answer 3

Thyroid cartilage 
Cricoid cartilage 
Arytenoid cartilage
Cricoarytenoid joint 
Epiglottis

Question 4

At what level does the Thyroid Cartilage lie?

Answer 4

C5-C6 Levels, when RESTED but NOT when Swallowing

Question 5

At what level does the Cricoid Cartilage lie?

Answer 5

C6

Question 6

What is the Sellick Manoeuvre?

Answer 6

Technique used in Endotracheal Intubation to Try and Reduce the Risk of Regurgitation by pressing on Cricoid Cartilage to keep airway open but shut oesophagus.

Question 7

What are the 2 types of Vocal Cords?

Answer 7

True Vocal Cords (movement impacts sound)

False Vocal Cords

Question 8

What is the name given to the space between the vocal cords?

Answer 8

Rima Glottidis

Question 9

What is the Vallecula?

Answer 9

Space between the epiglottis and tongue into which the laryngoscope is placed

Question 10

All Intrinsic Muscles of the Larynx are autonomic. True/False?

Answer 10

False.

They are voluntary skeletal muscle.

Question 11

How do the intrinsic muscle movements affect the voice?

Answer 11

Tension = Increases the Pitch of the Voice

Relaxation = Decreases the Pitch of the Voice

Adduction = Narrows the Rima Glottidis, Quietens the Voice

Abduction = Widens the Rima Glottidis, Loudens the Voice

Question 12

What is the innervation of all the intrinsic larynx muscles?

Answer 12

Inferior Laryngeal Nerve = Branch of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve of CN X

NOTE THAT CRICOTHYROID IS INNERVATED BY THE SUPERIOR LARYNGEAL NERVE OF CN X

Question 13

What are the Intrinsic Tensor Muscles of the larynx?

Answer 13

Cricothyroid Muscles

Attachment: Anterolateral Cricoid Cartilage

Insertion: Inferior Horn of the Thyroid Cartilage

Question 14

What are the Intrinsic Relaxer Muscles of the larynx?

Answer 14

Thyroarytenoid Muscles

Attachment: Posterior Thyroid

Insertion: Anterior Arytenoid Cartilage

Question 15

What are the Intrinsic Adductor Muscles of the larynx?

Answer 15

Lateral Cricoarytenoid Muscles and Arytenoid Muscles

Question 16

What is the attachments (origins) and insertions of the Lateral Cricoarytenoid Muscles?

Answer 16

Attachments: Muscular Process of the Arytenoid

Insertion: Anterior Cricoid Cartilage

Question 17

What is the attachments (origins) and insertions of the Arytenoid Muscles?

Answer 17

Attachments: One Arytenoid Cartilage

Insertion: Another Arytenoid Cartilage

Question 18

What are the Intrinsic Abductor Muscles of the Larynx?

Answer 18

Posterior Cricoarytenoid Muscles

Attachments: Posterior Cricoid Cartilage

Insertion: Muscular Process of the Arytenoid Cartilage

Question 19

What is the spread of the Glottal Tumours?

Answer 19

Supraglottal Tumours drain into the Superior, Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes.

Glottic Tumours present on the Vocal Cords, causing Symptoms of Voice Changes or Airway Obstruction.

Subglottal Tumours spread to the Paratracheal Lymph Nodes and Present with Voice or Airway Obstruction.

Question 20

What is the mucosal innervation of the larynx?

Answer 20

Mucosa ABOVE the Vocal Folds is Supplied by the INTERNAL Laryngeal Nerve (Name Change from the Inferior Laryngeal Nerve i.e. ABOVE the Folds, it is Internal but BELOW the Folds, it is Inferior)

Mucosa BELOW the Vocal Folds is Supplied by the Inferior Laryngeal Nerve

Question 21

Why are men’s voices higher than women’s voices?

Answer 21

Due to the their Thicker Vocal Cords

Voices get Higher in Old Age due to Atrophy of the Vocal Cords.