larynx Flashcards

1
Q

what is the larynx?

A

organ of voice production and the parts of the respiratory tract between the lower pharynx and trachea

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2
Q

what is the function of the larynx?

A

acts as a compound sphincter to prevent passage of food/drink into airway
forms a framework of cartilage for the attachment of ligaments and muscles

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3
Q

what is the larynx comprised of?

A

3 unpaired cartilages (epiglottis, thyroid, cricoid)
3 paired cartilages (arytenoid, cuneiform, corniculate)
a fibro-elastic membrane
intrinsic muscles

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4
Q

location of larynx

A

anterior to C3-6

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5
Q

innervation of larynx

A

vagus n. CN X

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6
Q

describe the epiglottis

A

flexible due to high elastin content
attached to thyroid cartilage by thyro-epiglottic ligament
attached to hyoid by hypo-epiglottic ligament

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7
Q

describe the thyroid cartilage

A

largest of the cartilages
two plate-likelaminaefuse anteriorly in the median plane forming laryngeal prominence
Superior to laryngeal prominence, the laminae diverge to form a V-shapedsuperior thyroid notch (there is an inferior notch, but it’s less visible)
The posterior border of each lamina projects superiorly as thesuperior hornand inferiorly as theinferior horn

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8
Q

superior border of thyroid cartilage lies _____

A

opposite C4

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9
Q

describe cricoid cartilage

A

articulates with the thyroid cartilage
shaped like a signet ring
posterior= lamina
anterior= arch

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10
Q

3 sided pyramidal cartilages that sit atop of the cricoid cartilage

A

arytenoid cartilage

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11
Q

function of vocal processes on arytenoid cartilage

A

vocal ligaments attach to these cartilages anteriorly

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12
Q

function of muscular processes of arytenoid cartilage

A

projects laterally to serve as a lever for laryngeal muscles

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13
Q

action of arytenoid cartilages

A

slide, tilt and rotate to approximate, tense and relax vocal cords

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14
Q

describe cricothyroid membrane

A

anteriorly attached to thyroid cartilage
posteriorly attached to vocal process of arytenoid cartilages

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15
Q

what is the vocal ligament?

A

upper margin of cricothyroid membrane that is free and thickened
true vocal cords

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16
Q

describe quadrangular membrane

A

runs between epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages
cuneiform cartilages are contained within this membrane

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17
Q

what is the vestibular ligament?

A

free lower margin of quadrangular membrane
false vocal folds

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18
Q

what makes up the vocal fold?

A

vocal ligament + vocalis m.

19
Q

what is the purpose of the vestibular folds?

A

serve to protect the vocal folds

20
Q

action of cricothyroid muscles

A

pulls thyroid cartilage anteriorly on the cricoid cartilage
stretches and tenses vocal cords (high pitch)

21
Q

innervation of cricothyroid muscles

A

external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (CN X)

22
Q

action of posterior cricoarytenoid muscle

A

externally rotate the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilages
open the rima glottidis
only abductor of the vocal folds

23
Q

innervation of transverse, oblique, posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles

A

recurrent laryngeal nerve

24
Q

action of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle

A

internally rotate the vocal process of the arytenoid
close the rima glottidis
adduct vocal folds

25
Q

action of transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles

A

adduct and narrow laryngeal inlet

26
Q

action of thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles

A

narrow laryngeal inlet
relax vocal folds

27
Q

describe thyrohyoid membrane

A

between thyroid cartilage and hyoid
laterally contains two apertures which allow internal branch of superior laryngeal n. and superior laryngeal a. passage into the internal surface of larynx

28
Q

describe cricotracheal ligament

A

attaches the cricoid cartilage to the first tracheal ring

29
Q

describe hypo-epiglottic ligament

A

attaches epiglottic cartilage to hyoid

30
Q

describe the laryngeal vestibule

A

extends from laryngeal inlet to vestibular fold
comprised of laryngeal inlet and quadrangular membrane

31
Q

describe the central (middle) cavity

A

space between vestibular and vocal folds
laryngeal ventricles and saccules = lateral bulge of the mucosa

32
Q

describe the infraglottic cavity

A

space from vocal folds to inferior border of cricoid cartilage
comprised of cricothyroid membrane and cricoid cartilage

33
Q

what is the rima glottidis?

A

space between vocal folds

34
Q

what is the rima vestibuli?

A

space between the vestibular folds

35
Q

motor innervation to cricothyroid

A

external laryngeal nerve

36
Q

sensory and parasympathetic innervation of larynx superior to vocal folds

A

internal laryngeal nerve

37
Q

sensory innervation of the larynx inferior to the vocal folds and motor innervation of all intrinsic muscles of the larynx except cricothyroid muscle

A

recurrent laryngeal nerve

38
Q

what is an important relationship between recurrent laryngeal n. and thyroid gland

A

the recurrent laryngeal n. ascends superiorly to the posteromedial aspect of the thyroid gland

39
Q

what is an important relationship between the piriform recess and internal laryngeal nerve?

A

the internal laryngeal n. lies deep to the mucosa of the piriform recess making it vulnerable to injury when a foreign body lodges in the fossa

40
Q

describe the superior laryngeal artery

A

branch of superior thyroid artery off the external carotid artery
supplies upper half of larynx
accompanies internal branch of superior laryngeal n. through thyrohyoid membrane

41
Q

describe the inferior laryngeal artery

A

branch of inferior thyroid artery of thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery
supplies lower half of larynx
ascends in tracheo-esophageal groove with recurrent laryngeal nerve

42
Q

describe lymphatic drainage above the vocal folds

A

follow superior laryngeal vessels through thyrohyoid membrane and drain into superior deep cervical nodes

43
Q

describe lymphatic drainage below the vocal folds

A

drain into pre-tracheal or para-tracheal nodes which drain into inferior deep cervical nodes

44
Q

important structures at C3/4

A

superior border of thyroid cartilage
common carotid artery bifurcation
location of hyoid