Exam 4 Flashcards
Framework of the larynx
- Musculocartilaginous structure
- Comprised of three unpaired and three paired cartilages
- Sits atop the trachea
- Average length is 44mm for males, and 36mm for females
Hyoid bone
- Provides the union between the tongue and the laryngeal structure
- Only free-floating bone in the body
- Articulates loosely with the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage
- Corpus or body: attachment for muscles
Thyroid cartilage
- Largest unpaired cartilage
- Enables larynx to rock forward/backward and elevate/depress
- Vocal folds attach to the thyroid just behind the thyroid notch
- Inferior cornu articulates with the cricoid cartilage
- Superior cornu articulates with the hyoid
Cricoid cartilage
- Unpaired ring shape that sits on the trachea
- Posterior lamina: connects to arytenoid cartilage
- Lateral surface: connects with thyroid inferior horns
- Would fit loosely on your little finger
Arytenoid cartilages
- Paired cartilage
- Sit on posterior portion of cricoid cartilage
- Posterior attachment for the vocal folds
- Vocal processes project anteriorly toward the thyroid notch
- Muscular process projects laterally
Corniculate cartilages
- Paired cartilage
- Sits on the superior surface of each arytenoid cartilage
- Prominent landmarks in the aryepiglottic folds
- Another attachment for muscles
Cuneiform cartilages
- Paired cartilages embedded within the aryepiglottic folds
- Situated above and anterior to the corniculate cartilages
- Provide support for the membranous laryngeal covering
Epiglottis
- Unpaired cartilage
- Arises from the inner surface of the thyroid
- Attached by the thyroepiglottic ligament
- Laterally joined with the arytenoid cartilages via the aryepiglottic folds
- Projects upward beyond the larynx and above the hyoid bone
- Attached to the root of the tongue by ligaments
- Attached to the hyoid bone via the hyoepiglottic ligament
- Surface is covered with a mucous membrane lining
What is the larynx’s most important nonspeech role?
Protection by prohibiting the entry of foreign objects into the lungs
Cough
- Sensation to irritant or foreign object
- Vagus nerve
Throat clearing
- Not as violent as a full cough
- Builds pressure in the subglottal region and clamps the vocal folds shut to restrain the pressure
- Places the vocal folds under a great deal of strain
Abdominal fixation
- Capturing air within the thorax to provide the muscles with a structure to push/pull
- Similar to a cough
- Take in a large breath, tight adduction of the vocal folds
- Thorax becomes a rigid frame
- Some air may escape through the adducted vocal folds and you may “grunt” when lifting something heavy
Breathing
- Normal breathing requires the vocal folds to be abducted (open)
- During forced exhalation (like when exercising) the need for air causes you to increase the abduction of the vocal folds
The only functionally mobile points of the larynx:
The cricothyroid and cricoarytenoid joints
Cricothyroid joint
- Connects cricoid cartilage and inferior cornu of thyroid cartilage
- Gliding joint
- Thyroid rocks down in front
- Thyroid glides forward/backward
- Change in vocal pitch
Cricoarytenoid joint
- Connects cricoid and arytenoid cartilages
Gliding joint - Vocal processes rock towards each other (vocal folds approximate)
- Arytenoids glide, which changes vocal fold length
- Arytenoids rotate, which permits abduction
What is the aditus?
The entry to the larynx
What is the vestibule of the larynx?
The space between the aditus and the ventricular folds (false vocal folds)
What is the laryngeal ventricle?
The middle space of the larynx, which lies between the false and true vocal folds
What are the extrinsic ligaments of the larynx?
Thyrohyoid membrane, lateral thyrohyoid ligament, median thyrohyoid ligament, hyoepiglottic ligament, and cricotracheal ligament
Thyrohyoid membrane
Lies between the greater cornu of the hyoid and thyroid laminae
Lateral thyrohyoid ligament
Extends from the superior cornu of the thyroid to the posterior tip of the greater cornu of the hyoid
Median thyrohyoid ligament
Extends from the corpus hyoid to the thyroid notch
Hyoepiglottic ligament/thyroepiglottic ligament
Attach the epiglottis to the hyoid and inner thyroid cartilage, just below the notch
Cricotracheal ligament
Attaches the trachea to the larynx
What are the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx, and what do they do?
Quadrangular membranes and aryepiglottic muscles… they connect the cartilages of the larynx and form the support structure for the cavity of the larynx and vocal folds
Quadrangular membranes
- Form false vocal folds
- Originates at the inner thyroid angle and sides of the epiglottis and form an upper cone that narrows and terminates at the arytenoid and corniculate cartilages
Aryepiglottic muscles
- Extend from the side of the epiglottis to the arytenoid
- Form the upper margin of the quadrangular membrane
- Form the aryepiglottic folds
Pyriform sinus
The space between the aryepiglottic fold and the thyroid cartilage
Vocal fold structure
Epithelium, superficial lamina propria, intermediate lamina propria, deep lamina propria, and thyroarytenoid muscle
Most superficial layer of the vocal folds
Epithelium
- Glistening white appearance
- Protective layer
Second vocal fold layer
Superficial lamina propria (SLP)
- Elastin fibers
- Stretched
- Cushions
Third vocal fold layer
Intermediate lamina propria (ILP)
- Elastin fibers running in an A-P direction
- Provide elasticity and strength
Fourth layer of vocal folds
Deep lamina propria (DLP)
- Contains collagen fibers that prohibit extension
Vocal ligament is made up of:
ILP and DLP (providing stiffness and support)
Fifth layer of vocal folds
Thyroarytenoid muscle (thyrovocalis)
Mucosal lining
A combination of the epithelial lining and first layer of the vocal folds