Larynx

Question 1

What are the functions of the larynx?

Answer 1

Respiration, phonation, effort closure, and deglutition.

Question 2

Where is the larynx?

Answer 2

Inferior to the oropharynx, superior to the trachea, at the level of C3-C6 vertebrae

Question 3

What are some key geographic features + structures of the larynx?

Answer 3

Hyoid bone, laryngeal prominence, lamina of thyroid cartilage, cricothyroid ligament, cricoid cartilage, Tracheal ring, Isthmus + lobes of thyroid gland

Question 4

What are the three unpaired cartilages of the larynx?

Answer 4

Epiglottis, Thyroid (superior horn, oblique line, inferior horns), cricoid (lamina and arch)

Question 5

What are the three paired cartilages of the larynx?

Answer 5

Cuneiform, corniculate, arytenoid (posterior surface, muscular process)

Question 6

What are the two joints of the cricoid?

Answer 6

cricoarytenoid (on top), cricothyroid joint (flanking laterally)

Question 7

What articulates the thyroid with the cricoid?

Answer 7

The cricoid articulates with the inferior horns of the thyroid. The cricothyroid muscle also contributes via a rocking motion. Affects vocal folds via vocal ligaments on the arytenoid.

Question 8

What are the arytenoids?

Answer 8

Paired, pyramidal shape cartilages resting on the posterior aspect of cricoid cartilages.

Question 9

What are the two processes of the arytenoids and what do they do?

Answer 9

Vocal process and Muscular process. The vocal ligament will run from each vocal process anteriorly into the thyroid cartilage.
Muscles attach to the muscular process and course inferiorly to attach to cricoid.

Question 10

What is the function of the cricothyroid joint?

Answer 10

Rocking motion of the cricothyroid muscle

Question 11

What is the function of the cricoarytenoid? (Saddle Joint)

Answer 11

Attaches the vocal ligament. Can rock back and forward as well as medial/laterally. Abducts as it rocks backward. Adducts as it rocks forward and slides medially.

Question 12

What are the ligaments of the larynx? 6 Types.

Answer 12

Thyrohyoid ligament, cricothyroid ligament, vocal ligament, vestibular ligament, hyoepiglottic ligament, thyroepiglottic ligament

Question 13

What is the function of the thyrohyoid ligament?

Answer 13

facilitates upwards movement of the larynx during deglutition

Question 14

What is the function of the cricothyroid ligament?

Answer 14

Connects the cricoid and thyroid. Clinical site of a cricothyrotomy.

Question 15

What is the function of the vocal ligament?

Answer 15

Makes the true vocal fold (glottis). Responsible for vocal sound and is not very vascularized, thus very white in color, typically more adducted

Question 16

What is the function of the vestibular ligament?

Answer 16

Comes b/w arytenoid and thyroid, protects from things entering the airway, known as the false vocal fold, typically more abducted

Question 17

What is the function of the hyoepiglottic ligament?

Answer 17

Attached via hyoid to epiglottic and responsible for swallowing closure–moves anteriorly

Question 18

What is the function of the thyroepiglottic ligament?

Answer 18

Attaches the epiglottis to the lamina of the thyroid cartilage

Question 19

What are the muscles of the larynx? 7 muscles.

Answer 19

Cricothyroid, Cricoarytenoids (posterior and lateral), Arytenoids, Vocalis, Thyroarytenoid, Aryepiglottic

Question 20

Fx of Cricothyroid muscle?

Answer 20

Increase tension on vocal ligament + folds via rocking motion

Question 21

Fx of cricoarytenoid muscles?

Answer 21

Posterior - abduction of vocal folds, increases vocal ligament tension
Lateral - adduction of vocal folds, decreases tension in vocal ligaments

Question 22

Fx of the (inter)arytenoids?

Answer 22

(transverse and oblique arytenoids) adduction of vocal folds (sliding)

Question 23

Fx of vocalis muscle?

Answer 23

Reduction of tension on vocal ligament (thickens the ligament)

Question 24

Fx of thyroarytenoid and aryepiglottic muscles?

Answer 24

Restricts inlet while swallowing - shortens

Question 25

Innervation of the larynx?

Answer 25

External branch of superior laryngeal nerve is motor to cricothyroid, internal branch is sensory to everything above the vocal folds, inferior laryngeal is motor to all muscles except the cricothyroid, and sensory below vocal folds

Question 26

Blood supply of the larynx?

Answer 26

Superior and inferior laryngeal arteries, branches of superior and inferior thyroid arteries