Larynx Flashcards
What is the larynx
Connection between the pharynx and trachea
What does the larynx do
Prevents foreign bodies entering airway
Where is the larynx located
Midline opposite the cervical vertebrae C3 to C6
What is vallecula
A depression in the mucosa between the pharyngeal portion of the tongue and anterior border of epiglottis
What is the laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple) formed by
The angle of the thyroid cartilage surrounding the larynx
What does the cricoid cartilage do
Maintains airway, provides attachment for muscles, ligaments and cartilage, vocal chords
What does the isthmus do
Connects the lobes of the thymus gland
Where is the laryngeal inlet
Bounded by the epiglottis anteriorly
Aryepiglottic folds laterally
Interarytenoid tissues posteriorly
Leads down to the vestibule of the larynx which extends down to the vestibular folds
Where is the vestibule and saccule
Between vestibule and vocal folds is a small recess the ventricle of larynx extends upwards to the saccule of the larynx
What are the two vocal folds
True vocal cords and the rima glottidis
What muscle is responsible for adjusting the tension of the vocal folds
Vocalis muscle
What are the false vocal cords called
Vestibular folds
During talking what does the larynx do
Adduct
During breathing what does the larynx do
Abduct
What are the 6 extrinsic membranes and ligaments of the larynx
Thyrohyoid membrane
Median thyrohyoid ligament
Lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
Hyo epiglottis ligament
Cricotracheal ligament
Median cricothyroid ligament
What are the 2 intrinsic membranes and ligaments of the larynx
Cricothyroid ligament
Quadrangular membrane
What are the 3 unpaired cartilages
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
What are the 3 paired cartilages
Arytenoid
Cuneiform
Corniculate
What is the superior and inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage also known as
The Cornu
What are the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage connected to
The hyoid bone via the lateral thyrohyoid ligament
What are the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage do
Articulate with the cricoid cartilage
What does the cricoid cartilage articulate with
The paired aryteniod cartilages posteriorly as well as providing an attachment for the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage
What is the epiglottis attached to
The back of the anterior aspect of the thyroid cartilage
What does the arytenoid cartilages consist of
An apex, base, three sides and two processes
What does the apex of the arytenoid cartilages do
Articulates with the corniculate cartilage
What does the base of the arytenoid cartilages do
Articulates with the superior border of the cricoid cartilage
What is the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilages
Provides attachment for the vocal ligament
What is the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilages
Provides attachment for the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles
What do the corniculate cartilages do
Minor cartilaginous structures articulate with the apices of the arytenoid cartilages
What do the cuneiform cartilages do
Located within the aryepiglottic folds act to strengthen the folds
What are the 4 extrinsic infrahyoid muscles of the larynx
Sternohyoid muscle
Omohyoid muscle
Sternothyroid muscle
Thyrohyoid muscle
What are the 4 extrinsic suprahyoid muscles of the larynx
Stylohyoid muscle
Digastric muscle
Mylohyoid muscle
Geniohyoid muscle
What do the extrinsic muscles of the larynx act to do
Move the larynx superiorly and inferiorly comprised of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid groups and the stylopharyngeous (a muscle of the pharynx)
When are low pitched sounds produced
When the folds are relaxed
When are high pitched sounds produced
When the folds are taut
What happens to the folds during puberty
Expansion for the larynx and elongation of the vocal folds - voice breaks
How do the muscles move during phonation
Larynx produces column of air vibrating leads to sound which modifies during passage through the upper airway
Air is forces past vocal folds that are closed from a slit like glottis
The arytenoids are medically rotated and are adducted by contraction of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscles
What epithelium is the lingual mucosa lined with
Stratified squamous non keratinised
What epithelium is the other half of its laryngeal surface lined by
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Where are seromucous glands found
Deep within the lamina propria of the mucosa
What is the top of the trachea comprised of
Columnar Pseudostratified with cilia and goblet cells
What is the innervation of the larynx
Both motor and sensory innervation via branches of the vagus nerve - recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal nerve
What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve provide the larynx with
Sensory innervation to the infraglottis and motor innervation to all the internal muscles except the cricothyroid
What does the superior laryngeal nerve provide the larynx with
Internal branches - sensory innervation to supraglottis
External branches - motor innervation to cricothyroid muscle
What is the arterial supply of the larynx
The superior and inferior laryngeal arteries which are branches of the thyroid arteries
How is the larynx drained
By corresponding veins the superior and inferior laryngeal veins
What epithelium are the vocal cords typically covered with
Stratified squamous epithelium
