larynx :) Flashcards
what is the larynx reinforced by
cartilage
how do the cartilages artiuculate
via synovial joints
functions of the larynx
protect the LRT (prevent inhalation of food/liquid during swallowing)
phonation (due to vibration of vocal chords)
strucutures found in the layrnx
hyoid bone
cricoid cartilage
arytenoid cartilage
epiglottis
hyoid bone
does not articulate with other bones
held via soft tissues and muscles
thyroid cartiage
2 lamina
pertubance is the Adams apple
cricoid cartilage
signet ring shape
only complete ring in reppiritory system
arytenoid cartilage
found behind thyroid cartialage
where is an emergency airway
into cricothyroid membrane between thyroid and cricoid
how is the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage joined
by thyrohyoid memrane
how is the thyroid and cricoid cartilages joined
cricothyroud joint (on either side)
how is the cricothyroud joint joined and movement
inferior horn of thyroid and lateral aspect of cricoid
cricoid cartilage swings up and meets the thyroid cartisge
what does the epiglottis cover
openings of larynx during swallowing
laryngeal folds
vestibular folds - false
vocal folds - true
what does the arytenoid cartilages do
alter vocal folds
due to movement of cricothyroid joint moving the arteynoid cartilages
what do the vocal folds attach to
vocal processes of the arytenoids (posterior) thyroid cartilage (anterior)
movement around the arytenoid cartilages
sliding (adduct and abduct the vocal chords)
rotation (adduction and abduction)
tilting (increase/decrease thickness, via length and tension)
what do the vestibular folds do
contain mucus glands for lubication which travel down to the true vocal folds
what is the larynx constricted by at the vocal chords
conus elastics (soft tissue) extends from the cricoid cartilage and vocal ligaments
what is the rima glottis formed by
vocal folds
vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages
what does phonation require
adduction
tension
fine adjustment (varies in pitch and volume)
what do the vocal folds to to protect the LRT
forcefully adduct
what is the epithelium in the larynx
respiratory epithelium
what is the epithelium of vocal folds
stratified squamous epithelium
for protection as the vocal folds are constantly opening and shutting
laryngeal muscles
interarytenoid muscles posterior cricoarytenoid thyroarytenoid lateral cricoarytenoid cricothyroid muscles vocalis muscle
interarytenoid muscles
cross over
adduct the arytenoid cartilages
close the vocal folds (adduct)
posterior cricoarytenoid
ONLY abductors of vocal chords
from the posterior of cricoid to attach to arytenoid
thyroartenoid and lateral cricoarytenoid
adduct vocal folds
rotate arytenoids inwards
used during swallowing and shouting
how do you phonate
closure of the vocal folds
raises sub glottal pressure beneath the vocal folds until pressure is greater than the closing force (therefore folds open)
when is sound produced
when the vocal folds tensed
issues with the the vocal folds
vocal nodules
haemorrhage on the vocal folds
variables on pitch
length
tension
thickness
how to alter the variables of pitch
moving the arytenoids backwards (stretches) or forwards (relaxes the vocal folds)
cricothyroid muscles
act on cricothryoid joint
move the cricoid cartilage upwards (therefore the artyenoid cartilages backwards)
increases tension of VC
vocalis muscle
(inner portion of the thyroarytenoid)
pulls the arytenoid cartilages forward towards the thyroid cartilage
relaxes vocal folds
(makes fine adjustments)
what is the larynx innervated by
vagus nerves
what supplies all other muscles in larynx
recurrent laryngeal nerves
what does the superior laryngeal nerves suppy plus type of innervation
sensory - internal branch
mucosa of larynx
motor - external branches
- cricothyroid muscle
damage to superior laryngeal nerve
1-cough reflex inopertable
inhalation of food(silent aspiration) - may lead to pnemonia
2-loss of motor innervation to cricothyroiud muscle (difficulty in regulating pitch)
damage to recurrent laryngeal nerve causes
can be unilateral
1) lung pathology - usually left as it loops around aorta
2) thyroid gland operations
damage to recurrent laryngeal nerve effects
all muscles paralysed except
cricothyroid (still innervated by superior laryngeal nerve)
interarytenoids
- innervated bilaterally (muscles cross over)
either side of VC will be partially adducted so vocal folds still adduct therefore phonation but raspy boice
how are the cricoarytenoid joints formed
arytenoid cartilages form 2 synovial joints with cricoid lamina
what happens to the laryngeal folds during swallowing
forcefully abduct
laryngeal skeleton is elevated
