Laryngeal Membranes and Ligaments #2

Question 1

List the main categories of intrinsic laryngeal membranes and ligaments.

Answer 1

• Quadrangular membranes (upper portion)
• Conus Elasticus (lower portion)

Question 2

Describe the intrinsic laryngeal membranes and ligaments.

Answer 2

• Continuous sheet of connective tissue (elastic membrane)

Question 3

List 2 quadrangular membranes

Answer 3

• Aryepiglottic folds
• Ventricular folds

Question 4

What do the Aryepiglottic folds do? (4 things)

Answer 4

• Completely seal off the spaces in the laryngeal structure
• Directs the airstream into the aditus and upward into the resonatory passageways
• First line of defense against foreign objects
• Closes during swallowing and vomiting to prevent food/liquid from entering the respiratory tract

Question 5

What is another name for the ventricular folds, and what do they look like?

Answer 5

• False vocal cords
• pink and plumb

Question 6

Where are the ventricular folds located?

Answer 6

• Found between the laryngeal vestibule and laryngeal ventricle

Question 7

What do the ventricular folds do?

Answer 7

• When the ventricular folds contract, they meet at midline, closing or sealing off the airway.
• Close during swallowing and during effortful activities such as lifting heavy objects
• During normal phonation, ventricular folds remain in quiet, open position

Question 8

What are two parts of the Conus Elasticus?

Answer 8

• Vocal folds
• Cricothyroid ligament

Question 9

Describe the vocal folds (2 things)

Answer 9

• White because of a lack of vascular supply
• Third line of defense in keeping foreign objects out of the lungs

Question 10

What does the cricothyroid ligament connect?

Answer 10

• Connects the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage