Larynx Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are the main functions of the larynx? x2
- Phonation (voice)
- Protection of the lower respiratory tract
How is the larynx made up?re
- Houses vocal cords
- 9 cartilages
- Suspended from the hyoid bone
What are the three unpaired cartilages of the larynx?
- Epiglottis
- Thyroid cartilage
- Cricoid cartilage
What are the main functions of the thyroid cartilage? x3
- Protects the glottis and trachea entrance
- Forms anterior and posterior laryngeal walls
- Attachment for laryngeal muscles and ligaments
What are the main functions of the cricoid cartilage? x2
- Complete ring around the trachea
- Provides larynx support
What are the main functions of the epiglottis? x1
Swallowing - drops to cover entry into larynx
What are the three smaller paired laryngeal cartilages called?
- Arytenoid
- Corniculate
- Cuneiform
What is the function of the arytenoid and corniculate cartilages?
Opening and closing the space between the vocal folds
What happens when the vocal folds are open?
Open valve
Airstream passes uninterrupted
Silent breathing
Abduction
What happens when the vocal folds are closed?
Closed valve
No air passes through
Closed during swallowing to protect the lower respiratory tract from food and liquids
Adduction
What is phonation?
Process where vocal folds produce sounds through vibration
Airstream is made audible
What causes the vocal cords to vibrate? x2
Forces and air pressure in the infraglottic cavity
Elasticity of vocal folds (opening and closing)
What is the phonation process?
Lung air flow is stopped by vocal folds
Causes builds up of subglottal air pressure
Causes vocal folds to blow apart
Air moves with increasing velocity through the glottis
Folds are ‘sucked’ back together (Bernoulli Effect)
During speech - vocal tract altered via articulators to make different sounds
What is happening to the vocal folds with voiced sounds?
Vocal folds are together and vibrating
What is happening to the vocal folds with voiceless sounds?
Vocal folds are apart and not vibrating
What intrinsic muscle is involved in abduction (open)?
Posterior cricoarytenoid
What intrinsic muscles are involved in adduction (closed)? x4
Lateral cricoarytenoid
Thyroarytenoid
Interarytenoid
Cricothyroid
What is the function of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles?
Moving the larynx up and down
Most attach to the hyoid bone
What is voice resonance and what are the different types?
Quality you hear when you speak
1. Oral resonance (speech sounds go through the mouth)
2. Nasal resonance (sounds go through the nose)
What is hyponasality?
Aka rhinolalia clausa
Lack of resonance of words which are resonated in the nasal cavity
Voice disorder due to decreased airflow through nose during speech
Due to a nose/nasopharynx blockage
What can cause hyponasality?
Common cold
Allergies
Polypi
Nasal growth
Adenoids
Nasopharygneal mass
Familial speech pattern
Habit
What is hypernasality?
Aka rhinilalia aperta
Voice disorder due to increased airflow through the nose during speech
Nasopharynx is cut off from oropharynx
What can cause hypernasality?
Velopharyngeal insufficiency
Short soft palate
Large nasopharynx
Cleft of soft palate
Familial speech pattern
Habit
What is alaryngeal speech?
Different types of speech that do not use the larynx
