Larynx

Question 1

Function of the larynx

Answer 1

Airway protection, cough reflex, sounds production

Question 2

What bone is the larynx suspended from

Answer 2

Hyoid

Question 3

When does the larynx end

Answer 3

At lower border of cricoid cartilage then it’s the trachea

Question 4

What are the 3 cartilages

Answer 4

Thyroid, arytenoid, cricoid

Question 5

What are the membranes

Answer 5

Thyrohyoid, cricothyroid, cricotracheal

Question 6

What forms margins of inlet

Answer 6

Epiglottis and Aryepiglottic folds.

Question 7

What makes up the false cords

Answer 7

Free lower border of the Quadrangular membrane

Question 8

What makes up the true cords

Answer 8

Free upper border of cricothyroid membrane

Question 9

What makes up the supraglottis

Answer 9

Inlet to false cords

Question 10

What makes up the glottis

Answer 10

True cords + 1 cm

Question 11

What makes up the subglottis

Answer 11

To end of cricoid cartilage

Question 12

What is the purpose of the saccule between cords

Answer 12

Mucous glands to keep voice folds moist- strat squamous

Question 13

What is a vallecula

Answer 13

Notch to put the scope when intubating

Question 14

What are the purpose of the larynx muscles

Answer 14

Alter size and shape of inlet, and tension and position of cords.

Question 15

What muscles abducts the vocal cords

Answer 15

Posterior cricoarytenoid

Question 16

What nerve supplies most of the muscles

Answer 16

Recurrent laryngeal nerve of CN X

Question 17

What does the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve supply

Answer 17

Cricothyroid muscles motor

Question 18

What does the internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve supply

Answer 18

Sensory to supraglottis

Question 19

What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve supply

Answer 19

Intrinsic muscles except cricothyroid and sensory to sub and glottis

Question 20

What is the path of the left RLN

Answer 20

under aorta the ascends in tracheoesophageal groove close to thyroid and inferior thyroid arteries

Question 21

What position are the vocal cords when swallowing

Answer 21

Adducted

Question 22

What happens to larynx during swallowing

Answer 22

Hyoid bone elevates and moves anteriorly by contraction of suprahyoid muscles
This causes larynx to move up and forwards and tongue pushes epiglottis horizontally.

Question 23

What happens to vocal cords when talking

Answer 23

Partially open but mostly adducted and air forced through to create vibration

Question 24

What position of the vocal cords produces high pitch

Answer 24

Taut

Question 25

What does contraction of cricothyroid muscle do

Answer 25

Tilts thyroid cartilage forwards on cricoid to increase vocal cord tension

Question 26

What happens to vocal cords in coughing

Answer 26

Adducted to build intrathoracic pressure the abducted to produce explosive outflow of air

Question 27

Complication of thyroid surgery

Answer 27

External branch of superior laryngeal nerve sits close to superior thyroid artery. Cricothyroid not innervated
Hoarseness at high pitch

Question 28

What happens in vocal cord in vocal cord palsies

Answer 28

RLN damaged from surgery, aneurysm, cancer, disease
Unilateral- hoarseness as stuck in paramedian position
Bilateral = narrow glottis = emergency

Question 29

What happens in laryngitis

Answer 29

Inflammation
Hoarse/ weak voice
URTI hx
Self limiting

Question 30

What causes nodules

Answer 30

Acute trauma, chronic irritation, hoarseness for 3 weeks

Question 31

What is a common cause of epiglottitis

Answer 31

Haemophilus influenzae

Question 32

What does epiglottitis present like

Answer 32

Sniffing position
Still
2-6 years
Not vaccinated
Quick deterioration

Question 33

How to treat epiglottitis

Answer 33

Secure airway and antibiotics

Question 34

Presentation of Croup

Answer 34

Viral
6month to 3 years
Barking cough
Adrenaline nebs and steroids if bad

Question 35

What is an example of a definitive airway

Answer 35

ETT

Secure and protects lower respiratory tract