Larynx Flashcards
What is the laryngopharynx?
The region of the pharynx from the epiglottis to the oesophagus
Where is the larynx?
Anterior to the laryngopharynx Between the carotid sheath structures
At which vertebral level is the larynx?
Between C4 and C6
At which vertebral level is the hyoid bone?
C3
At which level does the larynx become the trachea?
C6
What are the features of the skeleton of the larynx?
Epiglottis (elastic) Thyroid cartilage (hyaline) Cricoid cartilage (hyaline) 2x arytenoid cartilage (hyaline)
Which part of the skeleton of the larynx is the only complete ring?
The thin arch of the cricoid cartilage
What structure completes the posterior wall of the trachea?
Skeletal muscle - trachealis
What is the name of the membrane between the hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage?
Thyrohyoid membrane
What is the name of the membrane between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage and what is it’s clinical significance?
Cricothyroid membrane Access point for cricothyroid puncture in an emergency
Which structure is being indicated here?
Thyroid cartilidge
Which structure is being shown here?
Thyrohyoid membrane
Which structure is being shown here?
Right carotid sheath
Which structure is being shown here?
Laryngeal inlet
Which structure is being shown here?
Vallecula
Which kind of epithelium lines the larynx?
Respiratory mucosa
(Apart from the vocal chords)
Which kind of epithelium lines the vocal chords?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Which stuctures are being indicated here?
Vestibular folds
Which structures are being indicated here?
Vocal folds
What is the mucosal sensory nerve supply to the larynx superior to the vocal folds?
Superior laryngeal branches of the vagus nerve
What is the mucosal sensory nerve supply to the larnyx including and inferior to the vocal folds?
Recurrent laryngeal branches of the vagus nerve
Which structures are being indicated here and which nerve is this?
Vagus nerve
Which structure is being indicated here?
Vocal ligaments
Which structures are the vocal ligaments attached to?
Midline of the thyroid cartilage
Vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages
What movement affects the tension of the vocal ligaments?
The tilt of the cricoid cartilage
Which movement affects the gap between the vocal ligaments?
The rotation of the arytenoid cartilage
What is the narrowest point of the larynx?
Rima glottidis
What happens to the rima glottidis when speaking?
Narrows to a slit
What shape is the rima glottidis during quiet breathing?
Diamond shaped
Which structure is being shown here?
Cricothyroid muscle
Which movement does the cricothyroid muscle allow?
Pulls the arch of the cricoid cartilage upwards
What effect does contraction of the cricothyroid muscle have on the vocal chords?
Pushes the arytenoid cartilages backwards, making the vocal chords longer and tighter, narrowing the rima glottidis
What movement does the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle allow?
Rotation of the arytenoid cartilage, widening the vocal opening
What movement does the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle allow?
Pulls the arytenoid cartilage anteriorly and laterally, pulling the vocal chords towards the midline
Which two muscles act to shorten and narrow the vocal opening?
Thyroarytenoid
Transverse arytenoid
Which muscle is being shown here?
Thyroarytenoid
Which muscle is being shown here?
Transverse arytenoid
