Larynx

Question 1

what is the function of the larynx?

Answer 1

• allows air passage in & out of the trachea
• protective sphincter preventing foreign bodies entering airway
• organ of phonation

Question 2

what lies superiorly to the larynx?

Answer 2

laryngopharynx

Question 3

what lies inferiorly to the larynx?

Answer 3

trachea

Question 4

what types of cartilage are found in the larynx?

Answer 4

• hyaline cartilage
• elastic cartilage

Question 5

what makes the cricoid cartilage?

Answer 5

its a complete ring

Question 6

what are the different cartilages of the larynx?

Answer 6

• epiglottis
• thyroid cartilage
• cricoid cartilage
• arytenoid cartilage

Question 7

what shields the arytenoid cartilage?

Answer 7

the thyroid cartilage

Question 8

where is the emergency airway established in the larynx?

Answer 8

the median cricothyroid ligament

Question 9

what larynx cartilage is elastic?

Answer 9

the epiglottis

Question 10

what are the different membranes found in the larynx?

Answer 10

• thyrohyoid membrane
• quadrangular membrane

Question 11

what ligaments are found in the larynx?

Answer 11

• median & lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
• cricothyroid ligament
• vocal ligament

Question 12

where is the quadrangular membrane located?

Answer 12

from arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage to epiglottis

Question 13

what are the different folds of the larynx?

Answer 13

• aryepiglottic fold
• vestibular folds
• vocal folds

Question 14

what fold of the larynx forms the laryngeal inlet?

Answer 14

the aryepiglottic fold

Question 15

what is the laryngeal inlet?

Answer 15

formed by the aryepiglottic fold & is a protective sphincter of the larynx

Question 16

where are the vocal folds located?

Answer 16

formed over the superior free edge of the cricothyroid ligament

Question 17

what is the space between the vocal folds known as?

Answer 17

rima glottidis

Question 18

what are the functions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

Answer 18

• open/close the rima glottidis (abductors/adductors)
• alter the tension of the vocal folds (tensors/relaxers)
• open or close the laryngeal inlet (sphincter muscles)

Question 19

what do the vocal & vestibular folds play an important role in?

Answer 19

coughing, sneezing & raising intra-abdominal pressure (during lifting heavy objects etc)

Question 20

what is responsible for opening the rima glottidis?

Answer 20

posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
- abducts the vocal folds opening rima glottidis

Question 21

what causes the closure of the rima glottidis?

Answer 21

• transverse arytenoid muscle
• lateral cricoarytenoid muscle

Question 22

what muscle causes shortened vocal folds? what does this result in?

Answer 22

thyroarytenoid muscle
- reduced tension = lower pitch

Question 23

what muscle lengthens the vocal folds? what does this result in?

Answer 23

Cricothyroid muscle
- increased tension = higher pitch

Question 24

what causes closure of the laryngeal inlet?

Answer 24

oblique arytenoid muscle

Question 25

what are the intrinsic muscles of the larynx supplied by? what is the exception?

Answer 25

recurrent laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve)

exception is CRICOTHYROID = external branch of superior laryngeal nerve

Question 26

what is the sensory innervation just above the vocal folds?

Answer 26

internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve)

Question 27

what supplies sensory innervation to below the vocal folds?

Answer 27

recurrent laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve)