Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Block 2 > Larynx > Flashcards

Larynx Flashcards

1
Q

What are the functions of the larynx?

A

Primarily protects the tracheobronchial tree

Prevents ingress of fluids & solids

Enables phonation

Regulation of pressure in thorax & abdomen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What controls speech articulation?

A

Pharynx
Soft palate
Tongue
Lips

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where from the larynx start and finish?

A

At hyoid bone (C3)

To cricoid cartilage (C6/7)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the larynx made up of?

A

Multiple cartilages & one bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the cartilaginous aspects of the larynx?

A

Epiglottis
Thyroid
Arytenoid
Cricoid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How are the structures in the neck named?

A

From inferior -> superior structure e.g. thyrohyoid membrane goes from the thyroid cartilage -> hyoid bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What can the cricothyroid membrane be used for in an emergency?

A

To access airways directly if you cannot go through mouth due to blockage e.g. inflammation, glossitis, trauma

Good place to intubate too as its below the vocal chords

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why might a hyoid bone fracture be fatal?

A

Instantaneous bleeding & swelling will occur over the top of the airways so you may suffocate quickly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the arytenoid cartilages and what do they do?

A

Pyramidal shaped cartilages that form a mobile attachment point for the vocal ligaments as they articulate with the cricoid cartilage via synovial joints allowing pivoting movements

Also connects to muscles via muscular processes to allow control of movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where are the vocal ligaments?

A

Free upper thickened edge of cricovocal membrane attaching to the thyroid cartilage anteriorly & the arytenoid cartilage posteriorly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the 2 strong membranes of the larynx and where are they?

A

Aryepliglotic: passes from top of arytenoids to epliglottis & extends inferiorly; free lower border forms vestibular ligament

Cricovocal (conus elasticus): passes from cricoid cartilage & vocal process of arytenoid to thyroid cartilage anteriorly & cricoid inferiorly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the larynx membranes covered by?

A

Respiratory mucosa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What type of epithelium covers the vocal ligaments? Why?

A

Stratified squamous as it needs to resist damage that constant strong movements may cause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the ventricle & saccule?

A

Mucosal pouch between vestibular & vocal ligament allowing vocal ligament to move independently from vestibular fold above

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is another name for the vestibular fold? Why?

A

False vocal chords as they don’t hit together to make sound, they just allow the vocal fold to do this instead

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the rima glottides?

A

Gap between vocal folds allowing air in

17
Q

What difficulties would vocal nodules cause?

A

Vocal ligaments would find it harder to hit together = harder to phonate

18
Q

Where is the aryepiglottic muscle? What does it do?

A

Found within the aryepiglottic fold (superior part of aryepiglottic membrane) & muscle around the laryngeal inlet

When it contracts, it reduces the size of the laryngeal inlet in a circular fashion

19
Q

All motor and sensory innervation of the larynx if from __ __?

A

CN X (vagus)

20
Q

What is the innervation of the larynx?

A

Superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) innervates above vocal chords & cricothyroid; above vocal cord it is called internal LN (sensory) & at cricothyroid it called external LN (motor)

Recurrent LN provides sensory below vocal folds & provides motor to every other muscle in the larynx

All nerve supplies are ipsilateral

21
Q

What is unique about the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)?

A

It comes off of the vagus down in the thorax, goes round & comes back up into the larynx

22
Q

What procedure may endanger the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN)? Why?

A

Thyroidectomy (OR any thyroid op)

Because exterior branch of SLN very close to the superior thyroid artery (STA) which is ligated during thyroid surgery

23
Q

What is the function of the cricothyroid muscle?

A

Pulls thyroid cartilage forward & down

Lengthens & tightens vocal ligaments/chords -> raises pitch of voice

24
Q

What are the functions of the other muscles in the larynx (excluding cricothyroid)?

A

Posterior cricoarytenoid: abducts (opens) vocal ligaments widening the rima glottides so air can come in e.g. deep inspiration

Lateral cricoarytenoid: adducts (closes) vocal ligaments narrowing the rima glottides increasing pressure e.g. swallowing

Thyroartenoid & vocalis: pull arytenoid cartilage anteriorly & thyroid cartilage posteriorly/superiorly relaxing vocal fold lowering pitch of voice

25
Q

What can happen if the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) becomes damaged?

A

Loss of function = vocal fold paralysis

Unilateral injury: hoarse/altered/weakened voice

Bilateral injury: cords paralysed in mid abduction-adduction position so voice initially absent & later weak; floppy cords can block respiratory tract = emergency

26
Q

How can the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) become damaged?

A

Surgery on thyroid, anterior neck or thorax

Can be compressed by mediastinal tumours

27
Q

What would happen if the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) was damaged?

A

Paralysis of cricothyroid muscle causing a monotonous voice (especially when singing)

Sensation loss above vocal chords so you can aspirate food as you have no mechanism to protect airways (very dangerous!)

28
Q

Why is the thyroid cartilage more prominent in males than females?

A

Anterior tilt

Also called the adams apple

29
Q

Whereabouts are the vocal ligaments? What do they do to allow up to phonate?

A

At the level of the thyroid cartilage (C5)

Hit together hard & fast moving past each other to allow us to phonate

30
Q

What is the epiglottis? What is its function?

A

Elastic cartilage that closes off the larynx & trachea when swallowing so we don’t aspirate liquid/food

Block 2 (45 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions