Larynx

Question 1

What is the function of the larynx?

Answer 1

Respiration, phonation and protection of the airway during swallowing, coughing and breathing.

Question 2

What are the 3 regions of the larynx?

Answer 2

1. Supraglottis - contains epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, false vocal gold, arytenoids and ventricle
2. Glottis - contains the true vocal folds
3. Subglottis - below the true vocal fold

Question 3

Name the 3 paired and 3 unpaired larynx cartilages and their functions.

Answer 3

Unpaired:
• Thyroid - shield shaped - contains laryngeal prominence (adams apple), shields larynx from injury and provides attachment to vocal cords
• Cricoid - ring of cartilage - base for entire larynx,
• Epiglottis - guards entrance of larynx during swallowing by folding posteriorly over the opening (laryngeal inlet) of the larynx during swallowing

Paired:
• Arytenoid - synovial joint with cricoid. Swivel, rotate and slide enabling adduction and abduction
• Corniculates - with arytenoid play role in opening and closing of glottis and production of sound
• Cuneiforms - rod shaped and sit above corniculates

Question 4

What are the 6 ligaments of the larynx?

Answer 4

1. Thyrohyoid membrane - thyroid cartilage to hyoid bone
2. Cricothyroid membrane - cricoid to thyroid
3. Cricotrachel ligament - cricoid to 1st tracheal cartilage
4. quadrangular membrane - arytenoid to epiglottis, produces sounds waves
5. Thyroepiglottic ligament - thyroid to epiglottis
6. Conus elasticus