Larynx

Question 1

where is the larynx located

Answer 1

level of bodies of C3-C6 extending from tip of epiglottis to the inferior border or cricoid cartilage

Question 2

4 functions of pharynx

Answer 2

1. connects oropharynx to trachea and permits air passage to trachea
2. protective sphincter to airway
3. organ of phonation
4. elevation of it is crucial in swallowing

Question 3

function of larynx in swallowing

Answer 3

elevation of larynx is crucial in swallowing

Question 4

laryngopharynx is continuous with what

Answer 4

oesophagus

Question 5

describe cartilage in larynx

Answer 5

all hyaline cartilage except epiglottis which is elastic

Question 6

which cartilage forms a complete ring

Answer 6

cricoid cartilage

Question 7

how does the thyroid cartilage attach to the hyoid bone

Answer 7

by thyrohyoid membrane attaching from superior and inferior horn

Question 8

at the inferior horn, the thyroid cartilage articulates with what

Answer 8

cricoid cartilage

Question 9

what happens when thyroid and cricoid cartilages articulate

Answer 9

changes length of vocal cords and thus pitch of the voice

Question 10

what is the cricoid cartilage divided into posteriorly and anteriorly

Answer 10

posteriorly - lamina of cricoid
anteriorly - arch of cricoid

Question 11

cricoid attachments superiorly and inferiorly

Answer 11

inferiorly to 1st tracheal ring by cricotracheal ligament
superiorly to thyroid cartilage by cricothyroid ligament

Question 12

importance of cricothyroid ligament

Answer 12

site where emergency airway can be established

Question 13

2 attachments of epiglottis

Answer 13

1. to thyroid cartilage via thyro-epiglottic ligament
2. to hyoid bone via hyo-epiglottic ligament

Question 14

function of epiglottis

Answer 14

to close airway to facilitate deglutition i.e. not essential for respiration or phonation

Question 15

arytenoid cartilage function

Answer 15

articulate with lamina of cricoid cartilage to form cricoarytenoid joints and is essential for phonation

Question 16

where does the quadrangular membrane span

Answer 16

from arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage in epiglottis

Question 17

connection between quadrangular membrane and vestibular fold

Answer 17

free inferior margin constitutes vestibular ligament which is covered loosely by mucosa to form the vestibular fold that lies superior to the vocal fold

Question 18

superior free margin of quadrangular membrane forms

Answer 18

aryepiglottic ligament which is covered with mucosa to form aryepiglottic fold

Question 19

cricothyroid ligament runs from where to where

Answer 19

from cricoid to arytenoid to thyroid cartilage

Question 20

function of aryepiglottic fold

Answer 20

forms laryngeal inlet which is the protective sphincter of larynx

Question 21

vocal folds

Answer 21

control sound production from larynx - these are the true vocal cords

Question 22

what is the aperture between the vocal folds known as

Answer 22

rima glottis

Question 23

intrinsic laryngeal muscles (3)

Answer 23

1. open / close rima glottis (abductors / adductors)
2. alter the tension of the vocal folds (true vocal cords) tensors / relaxers
3. open or close the laryngeal inlet (sphincter muscles)

Question 24

extrinsic laryngeal muscles

Answer 24

infra and suprahyoid muscles as well as stylopharyngeus
infrahyoid - depress hyoid and larynx
suprahyoid & stylopharyngeus - elevate hyoid and larynx

Question 25

muscles that open and close rima glottidis

Answer 25

lateral cricoarytenoid - adduction
posterior cricoarytenoid - abduction

Question 26

lengthened vocal cords =

Answer 26

increased tension = higher pitch

Question 27

shortened vocal cords =

Answer 27

reduced tension = lower pitch

Question 28

muscles that cause pitch change

Answer 28

tensors = cricothyroid muscles
relaxers = thryoarytenoid muscles
these pull on their respective cartilages

Question 29

opening of laryngeal inlet is via

Answer 29

depression of larynx which can be felt to an extent during swallowing

Question 30

closure of laryngeal inlet is via

Answer 30

oblique arytenoid muscle

Question 31

motor supply of larynx

Answer 31

vagus nerve via recurrent laryngeal nerve except for cricothyroid which is supplied by external branch of superior laryngeal nerve

Question 32

sensory supply of larynx

Answer 32

above the vocal folds is by internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve
below the vocal folds is via recurrent laryngeal nerve
both branches of CN X

Question 33

in quiet respiration

Answer 33

vocal & vestibular folds are abducted
a triangular ‘open’ rima glottidis

Question 34

in forced inspiration

Answer 34

rima glottidis more forcefully and widely opened by posterior cricoarytenoid muscle

Question 35

during normal repsiration

Answer 35

laryngeal muscles are relaxed and rima glottidis assumes a narrower, triangle position

Question 36

during deep inhalation

Answer 36

vocal ligaments abducted by contraction of posterior cricoarytenoid muscles which forcefully opens rima glottidis into inverted kite shape

Question 37

for speech production

Answer 37

vocal folds adducted
rima glottidis closed & air forced through causing vibration thus producing tone
vocal fold length & tension, for pitch and voice altered by cricothyroid & thyroarytenoid

Question 38

in effort closure for e.g. heavy lifting

Answer 38

vocal & vestibular folds adducted
rima glottidis is closed
vestibule is closed

Question 39

for swallowing

Answer 39

epiglottis is involved and swings down to arytenoids as the laryngeal inlet is narrowed and larynx elevated