Larynx Flashcards
what is the function of the larynx?
- allows air passage in & out of the trachea
- protective sphincter preventing foreign bodies entering airway
- organ of phonation
what lies superiorly to the larynx?
laryngopharynx
what lies inferiorly to the larynx?
trachea
what types of cartilage are found in the larynx?
- hyaline cartilage
- elastic cartilage
what makes the cricoid cartilage?
its a complete ring
what are the different cartilages of the larynx?
- epiglottis
- thyroid cartilage
- cricoid cartilage
- arytenoid cartilage
what shields the arytenoid cartilage?
the thyroid cartilage
where is the emergency airway established in the larynx?
the median cricothyroid ligament
what larynx cartilage is elastic?
the epiglottis
what are the different membranes found in the larynx?
- thyrohyoid membrane
- quadrangular membrane
what ligaments are found in the larynx?
- median & lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
- cricothyroid ligament
- vocal ligament
where is the quadrangular membrane located?
from arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage to epiglottis
what are the different folds of the larynx?
- aryepiglottic fold
- vestibular folds
- vocal folds
what fold of the larynx forms the laryngeal inlet?
the aryepiglottic fold
what is the laryngeal inlet?
formed by the aryepiglottic fold & is a protective sphincter of the larynx
where are the vocal folds located?
formed over the superior free edge of the cricothyroid ligament
what is the space between the vocal folds known as?
rima glottidis
what are the functions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?
- open/close the rima glottidis (abductors/adductors)
- alter the tension of the vocal folds (tensors/relaxers)
- open or close the laryngeal inlet (sphincter muscles)
what do the vocal & vestibular folds play an important role in?
coughing, sneezing & raising intra-abdominal pressure (during lifting heavy objects etc)
what is responsible for opening the rima glottidis?
posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
- abducts the vocal folds opening rima glottidis
what causes the closure of the rima glottidis?
- transverse arytenoid muscle
- lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
what muscle causes shortened vocal folds? what does this result in?
thyroarytenoid muscle
- reduced tension = lower pitch
what muscle lengthens the vocal folds? what does this result in?
Cricothyroid muscle
- increased tension = higher pitch
what causes closure of the laryngeal inlet?
oblique arytenoid muscle
what are the intrinsic muscles of the larynx supplied by? what is the exception?
recurrent laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve)
exception is CRICOTHYROID = external branch of superior laryngeal nerve
what is the sensory innervation just above the vocal folds?
internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve)
what supplies sensory innervation to below the vocal folds?
recurrent laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve)
