larynx Flashcards
functions of larynx
- allows air passage in and out of trachea
-protective sphincter preventing foreign bodies from entering airway
-organ of phonation (speech production)
laryngeal cartilages
- epiglottis
-thyroid cartilage
-cricoid cartilage
-arytenoid cartilage
what type of cartilage are the laryngeal cartilages
hyaline cartilage except for the epiglottis which is elastic cartilage
which is only complete ring
cricoid cartilage
fusion of the left and right laminae of the thyroid cartilage
laryngeal prominence (adams apple)
function of epiglottis
swings down and closes the laryngeal inlet during swallowing to protect the airway and prevent any foreign bodies from entering
extrinsic membrane of larynx
thyrohyoid membrane
thyrohyoid membrane
spans the space between the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone
anterior thickening of thyrohyoid membrane
median thyrohyoid ligament
posterior thickening of thyrohyoid membrane
lateral thyrohyoid ligament
cricotracheal ligament
goes between the cricoid cartilage and the first tracheal ring
what is the intrinsic membrane of larynx
quadrangular membrane
quadrangular membrane-where is it
from arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage to epiglottis
cricothyroid ligament
from cricoid to arytenoid to thyroid thyroid cartilage
vocal ligament
superior free edge of cricothyroid ligament
laryngeal folds
-aryepiglottic fold
-vestibular fold
-vocal fold
rima glottidis
the space between the vocal folds
intrinsic laryngeal muscles: three actions
- open or close the rima glottidis
- alter the tension of the vocal folds
- opening or closure of laryngeal inlet
which muscle opens the rima glottidis
posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
which muscles close the rima glottidis
- transverse arytenoid muscle
- lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
what does lengthening the vocal folds do?
increases tension - higher pitch
what does shortening the vocal folds do?
reduces tension- lower pitch
which muscle shortens the vocal folds?
thyroarytenoid muscle
which muscle lengthens the vocal folds?
cricothyroid muscle
how does the laryngeal inlet open?
by descent of the larynx (& pharynx) by elastic recoil
which muscles closes the laryngeal inlet?
oblique arytenoid muscle
nerve supply of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles
all are supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve EXCEPT for the cricothyroid which is supplied by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
(branches of vagus nerve (CNX)
what structure does the right recurrent laryngeal nerve loop around?
right subclavian artery
what structure does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve loop around?
aortic arch
sensory nerve supply to structures above the vocal folds
internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
(branch of vagus nerve)
sensory nerve supply to structures below the vocal folds
recurrent laryngeal nerve
(branch of vagus nerve)
speech production - how does it occur
-only vocal folds are closed
-rima glottidis is closed and air is forced through causing vibrations
-vocal fold length and tension altered for pitch of voice
role of larynx in effort closure
-effort closure - for heavy lifting, etc
- vocal and vestibular folds are closed
- rima glottidis and vestibule are closed
