Larynx Flashcards
What is the larynx?
What does the larynx consist of?
The larynx is the membranous tube of cartillage, muscle and fibrous membranes (ligaments and folds)
It connects the oropharynx with the trachea via the laryngeal inlet.
3 functions of the larynx?
1- conduct air
2- protect the airway from food, liquids etc
3- vocalisation
Describe the location of the larynx?
What is the difference in it location in infants/newborns.
Anterior/median neck.
- laryngeal inlet = C3
- trachea begins = C6
The laryngeal prominence will be palpable below the skin.
Mobile during use.
It will be higher in newborns and infants and will take about 4-6 weeks to descend.
Why is the larynx slightly higher in newborns?
Because they have to be able to respirate while breast feeding.
Describe the structure of the larynx?
- Inferior to hyoid bone via the thyrohyoid membrane
- has a thickened membrane due to the median thyrohyoid ligament and paired lateral thyroid ligaments.
Briefly describe the cartilaginous structure of the larynx?
3 large unpaired cartilages
4 pairs of smaller cartilages
All made of hyaline cartilage except the epiglottis which is made from elastic cartilage.
Name the 3 single cartilages in the laryngeal skeleton?
1- epiglottis
2- thyroid
3- cricoid
Name 3 of the smaller paired cartilages?
1- arytenoid cartilages
2- cuneiform cartilage
3- cornice late cartilages
What type of cartilage may be present in 1/3 of people?
Tritceal cartilages may be present within lateral thyrohyoid ligament
Name each part
Thyroid cartilage connects too:
Superiorly?
Inferiorly?
Posteriorly?
Superiorly= hyoid
Inferiorly = cricoid
Posteriorly= epiglottis on the posterior aspect of the laryngeal prominence
Arytenoids via the vocal and vestibular ligaments
Epiglottis:
Function?
Attachments?
Function = to close over the laryngeal inlet while swallowing
Attaches too:
Superiorly = the hyoid bone via the hypoepiglotic ligament
Inferiorly = thyroid cartilage
What do the attachments of the epiglottis allow?
The hypoepiglottic ligament will allow the opening of the laryngeal inset at the end of swallowing and pulls the epiglottis back to its original position
The thyroepiglottic ligament keeps the epiglottis in place
Describe the shape of the cricoid cartilage?
Cricoid connects to?
Cricoid articulates with?
The cricoid is an the shape of a signet ring
Connects with:
Thyroid superiorly
Trachea Inferiorly
Articulates with:
Inferior horn of thyroid
Arytenoid cartilage
Synovial joints
What is each facet for articulation with?
Describe the shape of arytenoid cartilages?
Where does the base sit?
What sits at the apex?
What is the depression for on the anterolateral surface?
1- pyramid shapes
2- the base sits on the cricoid cartilage with each medial aspect facing each other. (Inferior articulation)
3- the corniculate cartilage will sit at the apex (superior articulation)
4- depression on the anterolateral surface is for the vestibular ligament and vocalisation muscle.
What are the 2 processes of the arytenoid cartillage?
1- vocal process = located anteriorly for attachment of the vocal ligament
2- muscular process = located posteriorly for attachment of the posterior and lateral cricoid-arytenoid muscles
Position of corniculate cartilage?
Position of cuneiform cartilage?
Corniculate cartilage sits on top of arytenoids
Cuneiform sits within the quadrangular membrane.
Describe the structure of the thyro-hyoid membrane?
Fibro-elastic
Thickened anteriorly and posteriorly due to the medial and lateral thyro-hyoid ligaments.
It will be pierced by the superior laryngeal vessels (artery and vein) and superior laryngeal nerve (internal branch)
What are the 3 extrinsic ligaments within the larynx?
hypo epiglottis ligament
Cricotrachael ligament
Thyrohyoid membrane
What are the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx?
Fibroelastic membrane
Vocal ligaments = form the true vocal fold
Vestibular ligaments = forms false vocal folds
What makes up the fibroelastic membrane?
What are the separated by?
Quadrangular membrane
Conus elasticus
Separated from each other by the laryngeal ventricle
What are the 2 superiorand inferior borders of the qudrangular membrane ?
1- aryepiglotic fold (superior border)
2- vestibular ligament (inferior border)