Larynx Flashcards
what is the larynx?
an anatomical valve that allows air to reach the respirator system while directing food and liquids to the digestive system. It also provides phonating mechanism for voice production
At what cervical spine level is the hyoid bone located?
C3
at what cervical spine level is the greater horn of the thyroid cartilage located at?
C4
what cervical spine levels does the thyoid membrane run?
C3-C4
At what cervical spine level is the cricoid thyroid (of the larynx) found at?
C6
what cervial spine levels does the larynx lie parallel to?
c3-c6
is the larynx longer or shorter in females and children?
shorter (higher pitch voice)
how many cartilages make up the larynx? are they paired or unpaired?
3 unpaired, 3 paired = 9 total
what are the three compartments of the larynx?
- Vestibule
- Ventricle
- Infraglottic cavity
where is the vestibule compartment of the larynx located?
superior to vestibular folds (false vocal cords) up to the level of the epiglottis; above the vocal folds
where is the ventricle compartment of the larynx located?
extends laterally between vestibular folds and superior to vocal folds
where is the inraglottic cavity of the larynx located?
extends from the vocal cords to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage; below the vocal cords
are the vocal ligaments located superior or deep to the vocal folds?
vocal ligaments = deep to vocal folds
what is another name for the false vocal chords?
vestibular folds
which laryngeal cartilages function to produce variations in voice pitch? what is the function of the other laryngeal cartilages then?
thyroid, cricoid, and both of the arytenoid cartilages function in producing pitch variations. the rest of the cartilages function in keeping food and foreign bodies outside of the larynx
on what cartilage is the laryngeal prominence found?
thryoid cartilage (its the adams apple)
what muscles are attached to the lateral side of each laminae on the thyroid cartilage?
inferior constrictror, thryohyoid, and sternoThyroid muscles
Over what joint/with what ligament do the thryoird and cricoid cartilages articulate? what type of movement does this joint allow?
the posterior cricoid is thicker than the anterior part, and it has lateral facets for articulation with the inferior horn of the thryoid cartilage. The criothryoid ligaments help stabilize the joint
The joint allows for the thyroid cartilage to glide and tilt on the cricoid cartilage
what articulates with the anterior area of the cricoid cartilage?
the cricothyroid muscle on the anterolateral surface
what does the superior horn of each thyroid lamina articulate with? how?
the hyoid bone via the thyrohyoid membrane
what cartilage does the arytendoid cartilage articulate with? via what joint?
the cricoid cartilage; via a facet for articulation on the superior surface of the posterior cricoid cartilage
What are the different processes of the arytenoid cartilage? what does each side attach to?
- Muscular process: to intrinsic laryngeal muscles
- Vocal process: to vocal ligaments
- Apex: to aryepiglottic fold
what is the function of the aryepiglottic fold?
helps close the larynx during swallowing
which vocal folds (true or false) are attached to the arytenoid cartilage?
both!
The 3-sided structure of the arytendoid allows for what movements?
- anterior movement (gliding forward) onto cricoid cartilage
- Swiveling to allow vocal processes to move laterally and then the vocal ligament to move under
what is the function of the corniculate and cuneiform cartilages?
stabilize the structural integrity of the aryepiplottic folds when they are closed (located directly on top of arytenoid cartilage)
what is the epiglottis attached to? what’s its function?
attached inferiorly to the thryoepiglottic ligament to the inside of the thyroid cartilage at the laryngeal prominence;
also attached to the hyoid bone via hyoepiglottic ligament;
function: to close the laryngeal inlet during swallowing
where are the vocal ligaments located?
under the vocal folds, extending from the inside of the laryngeal prominence to the vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages
what is the conus elasticus?
cricothyroid ligamentS (medial + lateral) + vocal ligaments
what is considered the vocal folds?
vocal ligaments + cricothyroid ligaments covered by mucous membrane
How is pitch highered?
When the vocal ligament is stretched (due to the thryoid lamina movin forward) the air passes through can causes the pitch to be higher
what is the rima glottidis?
the space between the vocal folds where air goes throuh
what happens to the rima glottidis wen the the vocal ligaments are abducted? adducted?
abducted ligaments = decrease in space
adducted ligaments = increase in space