Larynx Anatomy Flashcards
The larynx is located in the pre/post-tracheal fascia of the neck
Pretracheal fascia
The larynx is located between which vertebral levels?
C4-C6
Identify the cartilages of the larynx
What can be done to close the oesophagus during ventilation?
Applying pressure to the cricoid
Identify and name the three distinct laryngeal areas and the vocal cords
The true vocal cords connect what structures?
Arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage
The false vocal cords connect what structures?
Arytenoid cartilage to epiglottis
What are all intrinsic muscles of the larynx innervated by?
CN X
The cricothyroid muscles cause relaxation/tension of the vocal cords?
Tension
The thyroarytenoid muscles cause relaxation/tension of the vocal cords
Relaxation
What pair of intrinsic laryngeal muscles adduct the vocal cords?
Lateral crico-arytenoid muscles
Arytenoid muscles
What intrinsic laryngeal muscle abducts the vocal cords?
Posterior crico-arytenoid muscles
What intrinsic muscles are contracting in forced respiration?
Posterior crico-arytenoids
What intrinsic laryngeal muscles are contracting in normal speaking?
Arytenoids
What intrinsic laryngeal muscles are contracting in whispering?
Lateral crico-arytenoid muscles
Tumours that are superior to the rima glottidis will drain to which lymph nodes?
Superior deep cervical lymph nodes
How do tumours of the rima glottidis/vocal cords present?
Voice changes
Tumours that are below the rima glottidis will track to which lymph nodes?
Paratracheal lymph nodes
In speech, what occurs anatomically before phonation (producing a sound in the larynx)?
Pressure is built in the respiratory tree inferior to larynx
What occurs in phonation?
Air crosses vocal cords causing vibration in the larynx
What structures will amplify the ‘buzz’ produced in the larynx?
Pharynx
Oral cavity
Nasal cavity
To produce an oral sound, the soft palate must do what?
Tense and elevate to close off entrance into nasopharynx
To produce nasal sounds, what must the soft palate do?
Tense and descend to close off entrance into the oropharynx
What nerve innervates all intrinsic laryngeal muscles apart from the cricothyroid?
Inferior laryngeal nerve
What nerve supplies motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle?
External laryngeal nerve
How do you clinically test CN X supply to the pharynx and larynx?
Ask patient to swallow water and speak
