Larynx Anatomy Flashcards
Larynx structure
cartilaginous skeleton head together by ligaments, muscles, cartilages, and ONE bone [HYOID BONE]
Laryngeal cartilages
- epiglottis
- thyroid cartilage
- cricoid cartilage
Paired
- cuneiform cartilages
- corniculate cartilages
- arytenoid cartilages
Epiglottis location
- base of tongue
- on either side is the valleculae
Epiglottis function
- protects against aspiration by covering glottis during swallowing
- fibrous cartilage
Epiglottis mucous membrane
reflects up to pharyngeal surface of the tongue & makes the glossoepiglottic fold
Arytenoid cartilages
- pyramidal
- posterior
- cords attach to them
*most commonly seen paired cartilage on DL
“false” vocal cords
vestibular folds
- narrow bands of fibrous tissue on each side of the larynx
- found first inside laryngeal opening
true vocal cords
- pale/white
- ligamentous
- attach to thyroid anteriorly
- attach to arytenoids posteriorly
Glottic opening
triangular fissure between vocal cords
narrowest part of the ADULT airway
narrowest part of the adult airway & size
glottic opening
~6-9mm
can stretch to 12mm
narrowest part of pediatric airway
cricoid cartilage ring [just beyond glottic opening]
Thyroid cartilage
- largest cartilage of the airway
- anterior neck [adam’s apple]
- vocal cords attach ANTERIORLY
Isthmus
Middle portion of thyroid gland
Cricoid cartilage
- C6
- complete ring
*site for SELLICK’s MANEUVER
Sellick’s Maneuver
cricoid pressure
- being upon anesthetic admin
- HOLD until ETT placement is 100% CONFIRMED
30-40 Newtons
3-4 kg
6.6-8.8lbs
