Larynx

Question 1

Where is the larynx located?

Answer 1

It extends from the inferior, laryngeal part of the pharynx to the pharynx of the trachea. It is located opposite C3-C6 in men, but is higher in women and children.

Question 2

What is the role of the larynx?

Answer 2

It closes off the lower airways from the pharynx and contributes to the regulation of vocalization, or phonation.

Question 3

Name the components of the laryngeal skeleton.

Answer 3

• Thyroid cartilage (hyaline)
• Cricoid cartilage (hyaline)
• Arytenoid cartilage (hyaline)
• Epiglottic cartilage (elastic)

Question 4

What is the innervation of the laryngeal muscles (except the cricothyroid)?

Answer 4

Recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve

Question 5

Which nerve innervates the cricothyroid?

Answer 5

External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Question 6

What two parts can the rima glottidis be divided into?

Answer 6

Intermembrane part and intercartilagenous part

Question 7

Which muscle is the extrinsic laryngeal muscle?

Answer 7

Cricothyroid

(The inferior constrictor and thyrohyoid muscles belong functionally with the extrinsic laryngeal muscles).

Question 8

What is the function of the cricothyroid?

Answer 8

If the thyroid cartilage is fixed, the cricothyroid tilts the cricoid cartilage posteriorly agains the thyroid cartilage, tensing the vocal ligament.

Question 9

What is the function of the posterior cricoarytenoid?

Answer 9

It acts to draw the muscular processes posteriorly, causing the vocal process to move laterally, thereby widening the rima glottidis. This is the only muscle that opens the entire rima glottidis for inspiration.

Question 10

What is the function of the cricoarytenoid?

Answer 10

It draws the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage anteriorly. This causes the vocal process to move toward the midline, closing the rima glottidis. (It closes the intermembranous part of rima glottidis)

Question 11

What is the function of the vocalis muscle?

Answer 11

It draws the thyroid cartilage toward the vocal process and completely closes the rima glottidis by becoming thicker as it contracts. The mostly isometric contraction of the muscle teases the vocal fold and adjust tension. The vocalis is continuous laterally with a broad, thin layer of muscle known as the thyroarytenoid.

Question 12

What is the function of the thyroarytenoid?

Answer 12

Contraction of the thyroarytenoid draws the arytenoid cartilages forward, shortens the vocal fold, and closes the anterior, larger portion of the rima glottidis - the intermembranous part

Question 13

What is the function of the “inter-arytenoid”?

Transverse and oblique arytenoid

Answer 13

Draws the arytenoid closer. Closes the intercartilagenous part and tenses the vocal ligament.

Question 14

What is the name of the space between the vestibular and vocal fold?

Answer 14

Ventricle

Question 15

Which of the vocal and vestibular fold lies most superiorly?

Answer 15

The vestibular fold

Question 16

The vocal folds represent the border between the innervation of which nerves?

Answer 16

Superior laryngeal nerve and inferior laryngeal nerve

Question 17

What are the borders of the quadrangular membrane?

Answer 17

• Epiglottis
• Arytenoid
• Aryepiglottic fold
• Vestibular fold

Question 18

What are the borders of the triangular membrane (conus elasticus)?

Answer 18

• Margin of cricoid
• Vocal fold
• Cricothyroid

Question 19

Thickening of which border of the triangular membrane (conus elasticus) makes the vocal ligament?

Answer 19

Superior border

Question 20

What fastens to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage?

Answer 20

Vocalis muscle

Question 21

Where can you find the interarytenoid notch?

Answer 21

Between the cuneiform tubercle and the corniculate tubercle

Question 22

What is within the vestibular folds?

Answer 22

Vestibular ligament and numerous glands