Larynx

Question 1

What bones make up the larynx ?

Answer 1

Cricoid
Arytenoids
Thyroid
Epiglottis
Hyoid

Question 2

Describe the thyroid bone:

Answer 2

Is a shield for larynx
Incomplete posteriorly
Forms laryngeal prominence
Superior and inferior horns
Lamina - thin late

Question 3

Describe the structure of the cricoid bone:

Answer 3

Only compete cartilaginous ring around airway
Large flat lamina posteriorly & thin arch anteriorly
Articulates with inferior horn of thyroid (cricothyroid joint) & arytenoids

Question 4

Describe the Arytenoid bone:

Answer 4

Pyramidal shaped with 3 processes;

Apex - superior, articulates with corniculate cartilages

Muscular process - posterolateral, for muscle attachment

Vocal process - anterior, attachment of a vocal ligament

Question 5

Describe the thyrohyoid membrane

Answer 5

Contains thyroid and hyoid bone
Holes for entry of nerves/vessels

Question 6

Describe the cricothyroid membrane location :

Answer 6

Dome-shaped membrane attaching to;
- superior border of crioid inferiorly
- internal aspect of thyroid anteriorly
- Vocal processes of Arytenoids posteriorly

Question 7

Describe the structure of the cricothyroid membrane

Answer 7

Median Cricothyroid Ligament - anterior part of cricothyroid membrane

Conus Elasticus - lateral aspects

Rima Glottidis - cleft in the top of the conus elasticus

Vocal ligaments - thickened free borders of this slit

True Vocal folds - when covered with epithelium

Question 8

Describe the
Quadrangular Membrane:

Answer 8

Attached borders;
- lateral border of Epiglottic cartilage anteriorly
- lateral border of Arytenoid posteriorly

Free borders;
- Aryepiglottic Fold is upper free border
- Vestibular ligament is lower free border
- Vestibular ligament is called the false vocal cord when covered with epithelium

Question 9

What are the different spaces in the larynx ?

Answer 9

Laryngeal inlet - Entryway from the pharynx to the larynx

Rima vestibule - space between false (vestibular) folds

Rima glottidis - space between true (vocal) folds

False (vestibular) fold - Protective, non-phonating folds above the true folds

True (vocal) fold - Vibratory folds responsible for sound production

Ventricle - between false & true folds, contains mucus glands