LARYNX Flashcards
Where does the larynx lie?
Anterior to the laryngopharynx
What does the larynx connect?
Pharynx to the trachea
How long does the larynx stretch?
From C4-C6
Functions of the larynx?
1.Voice Production
2.Acts as protective sphincter -separating the lower respiratory system from the alimentary system
How may cartilages does the larynx consist of?Name them.
9
Three single cartilages:
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
Three paired cartilages:
Arytenoid
Corniculate
Cuneiform
What kind of cartilage makes up the Laryngeal cartilages?
-Hyaline cartilage
-Elastic fibrocartilage
3 examples of hyaline cartilage.
Thyroid
cricoid
arytenoid
3 examples of Elastic fibrocartilage.
Cuneiform
Corniculate
Epiglottic
What is the largest cartilage of the larynx?
Thyroid cartilage.
Describe the thyroid cartilage.
Two plate-like Laminae fuse to form laryngeal prominence –has superior thyroid notch (adam’s apple)
Superior horns attach to the hyoid bone by thyrohyoid membrane
Inferior horn attaches to cricoid cartilge
What part of the larynx does the cricoid cartilage contribute to?
Foundation of the larynx
Shape of the cricoid cartilage?
Signet ring
How is the cricoid cartilage attached to the thyroid and trachea?
Thyroid-Median Cricothyroid ligament
Trachea-
cricotracheal ligament
What part of the larynx does the epiglottic cartilage contribute to?
The anterior superior wall and margin the larynx inlet.
What does the arytenoid cartilage articulate with?
The superior border of the cricoid cartilage lamina
Where are cuneiform and corniculate cartilages found?
In the posterior part of aryepiglottic folds.
What is the function of vocal folds?
Help sound production.
act as inspiratory sphincter.
Describe a vocal fold.
Each vocal fold consist of:
1.Vocal ligament-medial free edge of the lateral cricothyroid ligament
2.Vocalis muscle-Medial part of the thyroarytenoid muscle.
What does the glottis comprise of?
1.Vocal folds and rocesses
2.Rima glottidis
What causes the change in the pitch of the voice?
Variation in :
1.Width of rima glottidis
2.Tension and length of vocal folds
3.Intensity of expiry effort.
Describe the interior of the larynx?
Interior,the laryngeal cavity and folds are divided into 3:
1.Vestibule which is superior to vestibular folds
2.Ventricle/Laryngeal sinus-Between the vestibule and vocal folds
3.Infraglottic cavity-which is from the vocal to the inferior of the cricoid cartilage.
Examples of extrinsic laryngeal ligaments.
1.Thyrohyoid membrane
2.Cricotracheal ligament
3.Hyoepiglottic ligament
4.Thyroepiglottic ligament
Examples intrinsic laryngeal ligaments?
1.Quadrangular membrane
2.Cricothyroid ligament
How are laryngeal muscles grouped?
Into extrinsic and intrinsic laryngeal muscles
Examples of extrinsic laryngeal muscles?
Infrahyoid muscles-which depress the hyoid and larynx
List the different groups of intrinsic muscles.
1.Principal adductors
2.Abductors
3.Sphincters
4.Tensors
5.Relaxers
6.Vocalis muscles
Example of principal adductor muscles?
1.Transverse arytenoids
2.Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Example of Abductor muscles?
Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles
Examples of sphincters?
Lateral cricoarytenoid muscles(transverse and oblique)
Example of tensor muscles?
cricothyroid muscle
Example of relaxers?
Thyroarytenoid muscle
What makes up the vocals muscle?
The medial margin of the thyroarytenoid muscle
Describe the vessels of the larynx?
1.Superior laryngeal artery - branch of superior thyroid artery, branch of external carotid artery
2.Inferior laryngeal artery - branch of inferior thyroid artery, branch of thyrocervical, a branch of subclavian artery
Venous drainage of the larynx?
The veins accompany the arteries
1.Superior laryngeal vein
2.Inferior laryngeal vein
Describe the lymphatic drainge of the larynx?
Superior deep cervical lymph nodes — pretracheal or paratracheal lymph nodes —inferior deep cervical lymph nodes
What are the nerves supplying the larynx a branch of?
Vagus nerve
Describe the nerve innervation of the larynx?
1.Superior laryngeal nerve – branches into:
Internal laryngeal nerve – (sensory) of the larynx
External laryngeal nerve (motor) - to the cricothyroid muscle
2Recurrent (Inferior) laryngeal nerve (motor) – supplies most muscles of the larynx
What is the level of the hyoid cartilage?
C3
What is the level of the hyoid cartilage?
C3
What is the level of thyroid cartilage?
C4
Level of cricoid cartilage and significance?
1.the junction of the larynx with the trachea
2.the level of the junction of the pharynx with the esophagus
3.the level of the middle cervical sympathetic ganglion
4.the level where the inferior thyroid artery enters the thyroid gland
