Larynx

Question 1

What is the type of cartilage and vertebral level of the epiglottis?

Answer 1

Elastic cartilage; Attaches to the posterior angle of the thyroid cartilage (`C4/C6)

Question 2

What is the type of cartilage and vertebral level of the cricoid cartilage?

Answer 2

Hyaline cartilage; C6

Question 3

What is the type of cartilage and vertebral level of the Thyroid cartilage?

Answer 3

Hyaline cartilage; C4-C6

Question 4

Describe the attachment, relative location, and cartilage type for the Corniculate cartilage

Answer 4

• Attaches to the apex of arytenoid catilage
• Elastic cartilage
• Creates the most POSTERIOR bulge in the rim of the aditus of the larynx

Question 5

Describe the location, surrounding mucosa and type of cartilage for the cuneiform cartilage

Answer 5

• Rests on corniculate cartilages
• Lies within the aryepiglottic fold
• Elastic cartilage

Question 6

Where do you find the inferior laryngeal n?

Answer 6

Runs just posterior to the cricothyroid joint

Question 7

Name the 4 “spaces” within the larynx

Answer 7

1. Aditus
2. Laryngeal Ventricle
3. Infraepiglottic cavity
4. Laryngeal Vestibule (not to be confused with vestibular fold…actually, the laryngeal vestibule houses the vestibular fold)

Question 8

What two laryngeal muscles influence pitch? How so?

Answer 8

1. Cricothyroid m: Raises pitch

2. Thyroarytenoid m. : Lowers pitch

Question 9

What is the only muscle to open the glottis?

Answer 9

Posterior cricoarytenoid m

Question 10

Name the muscles responsible for closing the glottis

Answer 10

1. Arytenoid
   - Transverse fiber = closes glottis
   - Oblique fibers = helps close
2. Lateral cricoarytenoid m

Question 11

What is the arterial supply for the larynx?

Answer 11

1. Superior laryngeal a. (br of superior thyroid a.)

2. Inferior laryngeal a.

Question 12

Describe the innvervation (sensory and motor) of the larynx

Answer 12

ALL BRANCHES OF VAGUS NERVE:

1. Internal Laryngeal n. = sensory to larynx superior to the glottis
2. External laryngeal n. = supplies motor innerv to cricothyroid m
3. Inferior Laryngeal n. = supplies motor to all of the other laryngeal mm and also sensory to the larynx inferior to the glottis

Question 13

Describe the result of injury to INTERNAL laryngeal n

Answer 13

Injury to internal laryngeal n results in sensory loss to superior larynx which may enable food to enter the larynx more easily

Question 14

Describe the result of injury to the INFERIOR laryngeal n

Answer 14

Injury to internal laryngeal n on one side only results in hoarseness, while bilateral injury will result in total loss of voice