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H&N Anatomy > Larynx > Flashcards

Larynx Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary role of the larynx?

A

prevent aspiration of foreign bodies into the lower respiratory system

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2
Q

How does the position of the larynx change in adults and why?

A

in infants –> begins at C1, located at the height of the jawbone to allow them to breathe & swallow simultaneously (so they can breathe while breastfeeding)

in adults –> begins at C3, descends & is located in neck –> evolutionary advantage –> can produce certain sounds. Adult humans can’t introduce air while swallowing (

(must elevate larynx & move it anteriorly when swallowing to prevent foreign bodies entering)

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3
Q

What happens when aspiration of foreign bodies occurs?

A

action of true & false vocal cords acts as part of the cough reflex mechanism to expel them (water, oral secretion, food, etc)

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4
Q

What is the main difference b/w chimpanzee & human oral cavity & larynx?

A
  • longer oral cavity & much lower larynx in humans
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5
Q

Which organism has the most primitive larynx?

A 
bichir lungfish (Polypterus) -- in Nile river
consists only of a muscular sphincter
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6
Q

A communication b/w respiratory & digestive pathways is maintained in adult humans too. True or false & why?

A

true, bc during development the communication of respiratory diverticulum w/ the future oropharynx is established
result = a crossing b/w these 2 routes as air enters from nasal cavity & food from oral cavity

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7
Q

Briefly describe the embryological development of the larynx

A
  1. aperture of larynx = a slit called LARYNGOTRACHEAL GROOVE which opens into the respiratory diverticulum
  2. slit/groove starts to look like a T –> LARYNGEAL INLET
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8
Q

The cartilage of the larynx derives from the mesodermal mesenchyme of which 2 pharyngeal arches?

A

4th & 6th

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9
Q

Where do the intrinsic laryngeal muscles originate from and what’s their innervation?

A

6th pharyngeal arch

RECURRENT NERVE or inferior laryngeal n (branch of vagal n)

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10
Q

Which arch does the crico-thyroideus originate from? Innervation?

A

4th
an intrinsic laryngeal muscle
superior laryngeal n

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11
Q

Are skeletal muscles of the larynx voluntary or involuntary?

A

Involuntary, despite being striated –> bc the have branchial/pharyngeal origin

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12
Q

the larynx is a ____________ canal attached to the ____ bone, it extends from the base of the _____ to the ______ in front of vertebrae C_ to C_

A 
fibrocartilaginous 
hyoid 
tongue 
trachea
C3 to C6
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13
Q

Which muscles are associated to the hyoid bone?

A

muscles of the floor of oral cavity &

those that move the larynx

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14
Q

Which are the 4 large cartilages of the larynx?

A
  1. THYROID - shield-shape, hyaline cartilage
  2. CRICOID - most caudal, at base of larynx, ring-like, hyaline “
  3. ARYTENOIDS - resemble ampullae, hyaline & elastic “
  4. EPIGLOTTIS - above the glottis, elastic “, most imp functionally –> moved when swallowing
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14
Q

Which are the 4 large cartilages of the larynx?

A
  1. THYROID - shield-shape, hyaline cartilage
  2. CRICOID - most caudal, at base of larynx, ring-like, hyaline “
  3. ARYTENOIDS - resemble ampullae, hyaline & elastic “
  4. EPIGLOTTIS - above the glottis, elastic “, most imp functionally –> moved when swallowing
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15
Q

Which are the 2 small cartilages of the larynx?

A
  1. CORNICULATE - resemble small horns, associated to superior surf of arytenoid
  2. CUNEIFORM - within a ligamentous device –> QUADRANGULAR MEMBRANE
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16
Q

The larynx is highly _____, it can be moved down, forward, & backward thanks to the action of ______ muscles

A

mobile

extrinsic

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17
Q

What is the function of the false vocal cords?

A

protective device of region where true vocal cords are –> RIMA GLOTTIS

18
Q

Posteriorly, the larynx is completed by the ______

A

pharynx

19
Q

What are the main features of the cricoid cartilage?

A
  • most caudal
  • in communication w/ the 1st tracheal ring
  • shape = signet ring
  • palpated below the laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple) of thyroid cartilage
  • 2 articular facets
    1. inferior –> articulation w/ inf horn of thyroid cartilage
    2. superior –> “ w/ arytenoids
20
Q

Describe the crico-vocal membrane

A
  • AKA cricothydois membrane/ligament
  • closes the space left empty b/w thyroid & cricoid cartilages

boundaries:
- from cricoid’s superior margin to arytenoids’ anterior processes & thyroid cartilage’s internal angle

21
Q

What is the median cricothyroid ligament?

A

anterior & medial portion of crico-vocal membrane –> where it is thicker

22
Q

What action on the vocal ligaments alter the pitch of our voice?

A

when thyroid cartilage is lifted up –> vocal ligaments stretch –> more tension –> alters pitch of voice

23
Q

What is the conus elasticus?

A

the inferior part of the fibroelastic membrane of larynx

delimits an opening in the middle

24
Q

The epiglottis is a ___-like structure. It attaches where the 2 vocal ligaments converge, on the ______ angle of thyroid cartilage

A

leaf-like

internal

25
Q

Which muscles insert on the cricoid cartilage?

A

A - Intrinsic

  1. cricothyroid
  2. cricoarytenoid (posterior & lateral)

B - Extrinsic

  1. cricopharyngeal
  2. part of inferior constrictor
  3. esophageal longitudinal fibers

cricothyroid & thyroarytenoid cover the cricothyroid membranes from the outside

26
Q

What are the main features of the thyroid cartilage?

A
  • laryngeal prominence on midline from which 2 laminae (plates) extend
  • thyroid notch –> reference pt for surface anatomy, easily palpable
  • oblique line –> insertion of extrinsic laryngeal muscles
  • 2 superior & 2 inferior horns
  • inferior horn –> articulates w/ inferior facets of cricoid
  • superior horn –> attachm of lateral THYROHYOID LIGAMENTS
27
Q

What is another term for the laryngeal prominence?

A

Adam’s apple ;)

28
Q

What converges at the thyroid angle?

A

the 2 vocal cords

29
Q

What is the significance of a more acute/narrower thyroid angle in men?

A

consequence = laryngeal prominence is more palpable in men

longer vocal cords in men –> lower pitch voice
think of guitar strings

30
Q

Where is the thyrohyoid membrane thicker?

A
  1. anteriorly –> it becomes the median thyrohyoid ligament

2. laterally & posteriorly –> forming lateral thyrohyoid ligaments

31
Q

Where are TRITICEAL cartilages found?

A

within the lateral thyrohyoid ligaments

32
Q

Which 2 things make the larynx susceptible?

A
  1. airway thru the larynx is an open passage –> need activation of mechanism that closes it by the epiglottis
    if larynx is not correctly positioned –> anything that enters can proceed to the airways
  2. since the larynx has a fibrocartilaginous structure –> its more fragile –> doesn’t recover spontaneously from a crush (unlike muscular struc of esophagus)
33
Q

What are the main features of the epiglottis?

A
  • leaf-like struc
  • elastic cartilage
  • connected via thyro-epiglottic ligament to internal angle of thyroid cartilage
  • does NOT articulate w/ any other cartilage –> so has high mobility
34
Q

What role of the aryepiglottic folds play in the protective mechanism during swallowing?

A
  • act as rampant to larynx during swallowing –> so food slides down on sides of larynx instead of entering
35
Q

Where is the quadrangular membrane?

A

from the free lateral margins of epiglottis –> extends to superior margin of arytenoid cartilage

36
Q

The free margins of the quadrangular membrane forms the _________ ligaments

A

vestibular

37
Q

What is the conus elasticus ?

A

= floor of the laryngeal inlet

  • a fibroelastic membrane
  • AKA cricothyroid membrane
  • mainly elastic tissue.
  • anterior and two lateral portions :
    1. anterior part or middle cricothyroid ligament (ligamentum cricothyreoideum medium;
    2. central part of cricothyroid membrane) is thick and strong, narrow above and broad below
38
Q

What is the glottis?

A

the territory b/w the true vocal cords & false vocal cords

39
Q

False vocal cords = ?

A

= vestibular ligaments + mucosa

40
Q

True vocal cords = ?

A

= vocal ligaments + mucosa

41
Q

What are the main features of the arytenoids (cartilages)?

A
  • small pyramid-like
  • 2 processes
    1. vocal process – insertion of vocal ligament/ true vocal cord
    2. muscular process
  • apex –> articular facet for CORNICULATE cartilage
42
Q

Which are the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx?

A

they form the fibroelastic membrane of the larynx

  1. cricothyoid ligaments/ membrane
    - forms inferior part of fibroelastic membrane aka CONUS ELASTICUS.
    - free upper margins form VOCAL ligaments (core of the true vocal cords)
  2. quadrangular membrane
    - formed by aryepiglottic folds
    - free lower margins form VESTIBULAR ligaments (core of false vocal cords)
43
Q

Which are the extrinsic ligaments of the larynx?

A
  1. Thyrohyoid membrane - reinforced by lateral & medical thyroid ligaments
  2. Thyroepiglottic ligaments - from stem of epiglottis to angle of thyroid cartilage
  3. Crico-tracheal ligament - from cricoid to 1st tracheal ring
  4. Hyo-epiglottic ligament - from dorsal surf of epiglottis to hyoid

H&N Anatomy (5 decks)

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