Larynx Flashcards
What is the larynx?
part of the respiratory tract between oropharynz and trachea
What is the larynx?
membranous (fibro-elastic) tube suspended between cartilages and hyoid bone
What are the 3 functions of the larynx?
- transport of air
- protective sphincter
- phonation
Where is the larynx located?
Between C3 and C6 vertebrae
Where is the larynx in newborns and infants?
Slightly higher
Where does the larynx hang?
under the hyoid bone
Describe the skeleton of the larynx
made out of cartilage connected to each other by ligaments and membranes
What are the names of ech of the laryngeal cartilages?
- Red = Epiglottis
- Blue = thyroid
- Green = cricoid
- Purple = arytenoid
- Black = corniculate
What are the 3 single laryngeal cartilages?
- epiglottis
- cricoid
- thyroid
What is the only elastic laryngeal cartilage?
epiglottis
What are most of the laryngeal cartilages made of?
hyaline cartilage
Where is the epiglottis found?
projects upwards and backwards into the pharynx, behind the posterior part of the tongue
How is the epiglottis attached to the thyroid cartilage?
thyro-epiglottic ligament
How is the epiglottis attached to the hyoid cartilage?
hyo-epiglottic ligament
What is the biggest laryngeal cartilage and what are its main features?
Thyroid cartilage
- Right and left laminae
- Superior and inferior horns
What do the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage attach to?
hyoid bone
What do the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage articulate with?
cricoid cartilage
Name what each of the arrows is indicating to -
Red = superior thyroid notch
Green = laryngeal prominence
Purple = Oblique line
What is the thyroid angle determined by? And how does it differ in males and females?
Laryngeal prominence
More acute (closer to 90degrees) in males than females
What is the function of the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage?
for muscle attachment
What is the shape of the cricoid cartilage?
Shape of a signet ring with the lamina posteriorly
What does the cricoid cartilage articulate with?
arytenoids and the thyroid
What is the function of the ‘sloping shoulder’ on the lamina of the cricoid cartilage?
for arytenoid articulation
What is the function of the ridge on the cricoid cartilage?
attachment of the oesphagus
What is the function of the depressions on the cricoid cartilage?
for attachment of posterior crico-arytenoid muscle
What does the arytenoid cartilage articulate with?
sloping shoulder of cricoid lamina and superiorly with corniculate cartilage
Name what each arrow and number is indicating -
Red = vocal process
Green = Muscular Process
1 = Depression for vestibular ligament
2 = depression for the attachment of vocalis
Where is the vocal process located and what attaches to it?
Anteriorly, for the attachment of the vocal ligament
Where is the muscular process located and what is its attachments?
posteriorly, for the attachment of posterior and lateral crico-arytenoid muscles
Where does the thyro-hyoid membrane extend?
Between upper edges of the thyroid lamina and superior horn and the body and greater horns of the hyoid bone
What does the thyro-hyoid membrane form when it is thickened anteriorly and posteriorly?
Medial and lateral hyoid ligaments
What is the thyro-hyoid membrane pierced by?
superior laryngeal vessels and internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
Red = median thyro-hyoid ligament
Green = Lateral thyro-hyoid ligament
Black = where the thryo-hyoid membrane is pierced
What is the fibro-elastic membrane?
elastic connective tissue underneath the larnygeal membrane that stretches the laryngeal cartilages
What are the fibro-elastic membranes separated by?
laryngeal ventricle
What is the superior fibro-elastic membrane?
quadrangular membrane
–> cape over the epiglottis
What is the inferior fibro-elastic membrane?
Conus elasticus (triangular)
Where does the qudrangular membrane extend?
between lateral aspects of the epiglottis, arytenoid and corniculate cartilages