Laryngeal Framework

Question 1

Larynx

Answer 1

Forms the border between the upper (pharynx - oral/nasal) and lower (trachea, lungs, etc.) respiratory tracts

Question 2

What is it made of?

Answer 2

Musculo-cartilaginous (made of muscle and cartilage) structure located at the superior end of the trachea

Bound superiorly by the hyoid bone and inferiorly by the cricoid cartilage

Question 3

Laryngeal Framework Consists of

Answer 3

1 Bone, 3 unpaired cartilages, and 3 paired cartilages

1) Hyoid Bone (1)

2) Thyroid Cartilage (1)
3) Cricoid Cartilage (1)

4) Arytenoid Cartilage (2)
5) Corniculate Cartilages (2)
6) Cuneiform Cartilages (2)

7) Epiglottis (elastic cartilage) (1)

Question 4

Meaning of biological functions

Answer 4

The larynx has biological (protective/life sustaining) and non-biological (voice production) functions

Biological are primary. That means that protection of the larynx an) and airway (lungs) will always come first.

Question 5

Biological functions of larynx

Answer 5

1) Prevent foreign material from entering the lungs; and

2) Expel foreign substances that attempt to enter the trachea/lungs

Expel: coughing, throat clearing

Question 6

Non-biological function of larynx

Answer 6

Voice production or phonation

Non-biological functions are also called OVERLAID FUNCTIONS. This means they are a 2nd function and not life sustaining

Question 7

The Hyoid Bone

Answer 7

Unpaired bone
Only bone in larynx
U-shaped
Open posteriorly

Question 8

3 Functions of hyoid bone

Answer 8

1) Suspends the larynx
2) Serves as a point of attachment for some extrinsic laryngeal muscles [originate outside of the hyoid bone] + inferior attachment for most of the tongue musculature
3) supports the root of the tongue

Question 9

3 Parts of Hyoid Bone

Answer 9

1) Corpus or Body
2) Lesser Horns or Cornu (2)
3) Greater Horns or Cornu (2)

Question 10

Thyroid Cartilage

Answer 10

Unpaired and the largest of the laryngeal Cartilages

Question 11

Thyroid cartilage, plates, etc.

Answer 11

Thyroid has a PROMINENT ANTERIOR SURFACE made up of 2 plates called

1) Thyroid Laminae
2) Thyroid Angle

The superior-most portion of the thyroid angle is the THYROID NOTCH

You can also call it the SUPERIOR THYROID NOTCH

Question 12

Superior-most portion of the thyroid angle

Answer 12

thyroid notch or superior thyroid notch

Question 13

Horns of cartilage

Answer 13

On posterior aspect of the thyroid cartilage, there are two sets of cornu or horns

INFERIOR CORNU
SUPERIOR CORNU

Question 14

INFERIOR CORNU

Answer 14

project inferiorly to articulate with the cricoid cartilage

Question 15

Superior cornu

Answer 15

project superiorly to articulate with the hyoid bone

Question 16

Thyroid Cartilage - oblique line

Answer 16

Can be found on the lateral, superficial aspect of the thyroid laminae

The oblique line serves as a point of attachment for some laryngeal MUSCLES

Question 17

CRICOID CARTILAGE

Answer 17

Unpaired

Most INFERIOR portion of the larynx

Taller posteriorly than it is anteriorly, + shaped like a signet ring

Superior to the 1st tracheal ring

Question 18

Where do the arytenoid cartilages articulate?

Answer 18

AC articulates on the superior-most aspect of the CRICOID CARTILAGE.

Superior surface is called the POSTERIOR QUADRATE LAMINA

Question 19

Posterior Quadrate Lamina

Answer 19

Superior surface of the cricoid cartilage where the arytenoid cartilages articulate with the cricoid cartilages

Question 20

Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilage Articulation

Answer 20

On the lateral surfaces of the cricoid cartilage are the articular FACETS that mark the point of articulation for the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage

INFERIOR CORNU articulate with the cricoid cartilage

Question 21

Arytenoid Cartilages (harry potter sorting hats)

Answer 21

PAIRED

Articulate with the cricoid cartilage on the SUPERIOR portion of the POSTERIOR QUADRATE LAMINA

pyramid-shaped

each cartilage has 2 PROCESSES + 4 SURFACES

Question 22

primary function of the arytenoid cartilages?

Answer 22

Allows movement of the vocal folds for phonation/voicing and swallowing

Question 23

Where do the corniculate cartilages rest?

Answer 23

Apex (highest point) of the arytenoid

they look like smaller harry potter sorting hats

Question 24

What are the 2 processes of Arytenoid Cartilages?

Answer 24

1) VOCAL PROCESS
2) MUSCULAR PROCESS

Question 25

Arytenoid Cartilages - Vocal Process

Answer 25

Projects anteriorly towards the thyroid notch

The POSTERIOR portion of the VOCAL FOLDS are attached to this process

Question 26

Arytenoid Cartilages - Muscular Process

Answer 26

Projects laterally on the arytenoid cartilage

Point of attachment for muscles that abduct (open) + adduct (close) the vocal folds

Question 27

Epiglottis

Answer 27

Unpaired

Leaf-shaped cartilage

Arises from the inner surface of the angle of the thyroid cartilage, just below the notch

Projects UPWARD beyond the larynx and ABOVE the hyoid bone, + is attached to the ROOT of the tongue

Sides of the epiglottis are joined with the arytenoid cartilages via the ARYEPIGLOTTIC FOLDS

Question 28

Aryepiglottic Folds

Answer 28

Produced by the membranous lining overlapping muscle and connective tissue

Extend from the apex of the arytenoids to the lateral margins of the epiglottis

Question 29

Cuneiform Cartilages

Answer 29

Small cartilages that are embedded in the aryepiglottic folds

FUNCTION: serve to SUPPORT the membranous laryngeal covering