Larynx

Question 1

The larynx is continuous with the ____ posteriorly and superiorly, and with the ____ inferiorly

Answer 1

pharynx; trachea

Question 2

The larynx is located at vertebral body levels ___-___

Answer 2

C3-C6

Question 3

What are the 3 functions of the larynx?

Answer 3

1. passage of air
2. sphincter (close RT during swallowing)
3. phonation

Question 4

This is the largest of the laryngeal cartilage. It consists of two quadrangular laminae fused anteriorly with the adam’s apple

Answer 4

Thyroid cartilage

Question 5

The oblique line is a ridge on the posterolateral sides of the thyroid cartilage for attachment of what 3 muscles?

Answer 5

sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, inferior pharyngeal constrictor

Question 6

This is the only cartilage to completely encircle the airway. It has a thin anterior arch and an enlarged lamina posteriorly. The lamina articulates with the arytenoid cartilages

Answer 6

Cricoid cartilage

Question 7

This cartilage is a paired set, located posteriorly in the larynx, sitting atop the lamina of the cricoid. It has a three-sided pyramidal shape with a posterolateral projection for muscular attachment, an anterior projection for vocal ligaments, and a superior apex.

Answer 7

Arytenoid cartilage

Question 8

This cartilage is paired, sits atop the apices of the arytenoid cartilages and is conical-shaped.

Answer 8

corniculate cartilages

Question 9

This cartilage is single, paddle or teardrop-shaped, located posterior to the root of the tongue and hyoid bone, and is broad with a free superior part and an inferior stalk attached to the internal surface of the angle between laminae anteriorly

Answer 9

epiglottic cartilage

Question 10

The larynx grows from birth to childhood. At puberty, laryngeal cartilages enlarge and laryngeal prominences become more obvious in males due to influence of ____

Answer 10

testosterone

Question 11

In regards to the cricothyroid joints, as thyroid cartilage tilts anteriorly, the vocal folds are ____

Answer 11

tensed

note: posterior tilting loosens vocal folds

Question 12

In regards to cricoarytenoid joints, the arytenoid cartilages slide transversely and pivot on cricoid cartilage which results in what?

Answer 12

abduction or adduction of the vocal processes

Question 13

The thyrohyoid membrane connects the ____ border of the thyroid cartilage to the ____ and ____ ____ of the hyoid bone

Answer 13

superior; body; greater horns

Question 14

The openings in the thyrohyoid membrane allow passage of what vessels/nerve

Answer 14

superior laryngeal vessels; internal laryngeal nerve

Question 15

This ligament passes from anterior midline of epiglottis to the body of the hyoid bone. It limits epiglottic movement posteriorly

Answer 15

hyoepiglottic ligament

Question 16

The thryoepiglottic ligament attaches the ____ of the epiglottic cartilage to thyroid cartilage

Answer 16

stalk

Question 17

This is an elastic membrane that attaches to the superior surface of cricoid cartilage and projects superomedially inside the thyroid cartilage

Answer 17

conus elasticus

Question 18

The upper, free edges of conus elasticus are thickened to form ____ ____ which attach postiorly to the ____ ____ of the arytenoid cartilages and anteriorly to the thyroid laminae

Answer 18

vocal ligaments (cords); vocal processses

Question 19

The thickened anterior portion of conus elasticus is the ____ _____ ligament

Answer 19

median cricothryoid

Question 20

The free superior margin of the quadrangular ligament forms the _____ ligament, the free inferior margin forms the ____ ligament

Answer 20

aryepiglottic; vestibular

Question 21

The superior opening of the larynx is called what?

Answer 21

laryngeal inlet

Question 22

The vestibule of the larynx is the space between the ____ folds

Answer 22

aryepiglottic

Question 23

The space between the vestibular folds is called the ____ _____

Answer 23

rima vestibuli

Question 24

The narrow space between the vestibular and vocal folds is called the laryngeal ventricle. It extends anterosuperiorly as the ____, a blind pouch with numerous mucous glands

Answer 24

saccule

Question 25

The mucosa of the ventricle continues inferiorly to cover the vocal ligaments to form the ____ ____

Answer 25

vocal folds (true vocal cords)

Question 26

The opening between two vocal folds is ____ _____

Answer 26

rima glottidis

Question 27

The shape of rim glottidis is ____ during normal respiration and ____ during forced respiration, and _____-like during phonation

Answer 27

narrow; wide; phonation

Question 28

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Posterior cricoarytneoid muscle

Answer 28

origin: lamina of cricoid cartilage insertion: muscular process of arytenoid cartilage action: abduction of vocal folds -> opens rima glottidis

Question 29

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle

Answer 29

origin: cricoid cartilage insertion: muscular process of arytenoids action: adducting vocal folds -> closes rima glottidis

Question 30

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Transverse arytenoid muscle

Answer 30

attachments: spans between arytenoid cartilages posteriorly action: assists with adduction of vocal folds

Question 31

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: oblique arytenoid muscle

Answer 31

origin: muscular process of arytenoids insertion: apex of opposite arytenoid action: assists with adduction of the vocal folds

Question 32

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Cricothyroid muscle

Answer 32

origin: arch of cricoid cartilage insertion: inferior edge of thyroid cartilage action: stretches/tenses vocal folds (allowing pitch to be raised)

Question 33

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Thyroarytenoid muscle

Answer 33

origin: anterior thyroid cartilage (arises internally) insertion: anterolateral surface of arytenoid cartilage action: relaxing vocal folds

Question 34

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Vocalis muscle

Answer 34

origin: arytenoid cartilage (vocal processes) insertion: vocal ligament action: fine tunes tension on vocal folds

Question 35

For the following intrinsic muscle of the larynx, give the origin, insertion, and action: Thyroepiglottic muscle

Answer 35

origin: extension of thyroarytenoid muscle insertion: aryepiglottic fold action: sphincter for the aditus

Question 36

The superior laryngeal artery, which supplies most of the upper part of the larynx is usually a branch from this artery

Answer 36

superior thyroid artery

Question 37

The inferior laryngeal artery supplies the lower part of the larynx after arising form the inferior thyroid artery which is a branch from what?

Answer 37

thyrocervical trunk

Question 38

The inferior laryngeal artery ascends with what nerve?

Answer 38

recurrent laryngeal nerve

Question 39

The superior laryngeal vein drains through the ____ ____ vein into the ____ ____ vein

Answer 39

superior thyroid; internal jugular

Question 40

The inferior laryngeal vein drains through the ____ ____ vein to the ____ ____ vein

Answer 40

inferior thyroid; left brachiocephalic

Question 41

Sensory innervation of the larynx is entirely from branches of the vagus nerve. From the aditus to the vocal cords, the mucosa is supplied by the _____ ____ nerves; below the vocal cords the mucosa is innervated by the ____ ____ nerves

Answer 41

internal laryngeal; recurrent laryngeal

Question 42

Motor innervation to the cricothryoid muscle is by the ____ ____ nerve, while all other muscles in the larynx are innervated by the _____ ____ nerves

Answer 42

external laryngeal; recurrent laryngeal

Question 43

Motor neurons to laryngeal muscles, as well as preganglionic parasympathetic neuron cell bodies are in the ____ ____

Answer 43

brain stem

Question 44

What are the two branches of superior laryngeal nerve? What is the continuation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Answer 44

superior laryngeal nerve: internal and external laryngeal nerves recurrent laryngeal nerve: inferior laryngeal nerve

Question 45

Damage to this nerve can cause desensitization of superior larynx and hence more likely to have difficulty swallowing yielding laryngeal foreign bodies and choking

Answer 45

internal laryngeal nerve

Question 46

Damage to this nerve can paralyze cricothryoid muscle, resulting in a weak voice, lowered pitch, or monotone voice

Answer 46

external laryngeal nerve

Question 47

Damage to this nerve can result in vocal fold paralysis

Answer 47

inferior laryngeal nerve

Question 48

Damage to this nerve results in the abductors being more affected than adductors which is known as Semon's law. This yields an adducted position of affected cords.

Answer 48

recurrent laryngeal nerve