Larynx Anatomy Flashcards
What is the larynx made up of?
A series of cartilages joined by connective tissue and moved by muscles
Where is the larynx located?
Between the pharynx and trachea
What may a splutter suggest?
Abnormal swallow or cough
Where specifically in the neck is the larynx found?
In the visceral layer of the pretracheal fascia
What layer of pretrachial fascia lies anterior to the visceral layer?
A very thin muscular layer
What is the function of strap muscles?
Accessory muscles of breathing
What is the laryngopharynx? Where is the larynx in relation to this?
The region of the pharynx from the epiglottis to the oesophagus. The larynx is anterior.
The larynx is located between which vertebral levels?
C4-C6
What cartilage is the laryngeal prominence part of? At what vertebral level is this found?
Thyroid cartilage- found at C4/5
Which parts of the pharynx are used in both the respiratory and GI pathways?
Oropharynx and laryngopharynx
Raising the larynx towards where reduces the chance of aspiration?
The mandible
What happens if aspiration occurs?
The cough reflex occurs
The larynx is a skeleton of cartilages suspended from where?
The hyoid bone
What is the reason for pressing on the cricoid cartilage when ventilating?
Compresses the oesophagus against C6 to prevent aspiration
Which has mucosa, a laryngeal ligament or a laryngeal fold/cord?
Fold/cord
What is a vestibular fold also known as?
False vocal cord
Describe the vocal cords?
Free borders of mucosa covered in connective tissue in the larynx
Where is the connection forming the true vocal cords?
Vocal processes of arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage
Where is the connection forming the false vocal cords?
Arytenoid cartilage to epiglottis
Where is the quadrangular membrane found?
Between the vestibular ligament and epiglottis
The movement of which vocal cords impacts sound?
True vocal cords
What is the space between the true vocal cords known as?
Rima glottidis
Where is a laryngoscope placed?
Between the epiglottis and tongue
The intrinsic muscles of the larynx are what type of muscle?
Skeletal muscle
What 4 movements can intrinsic muscles of the larynx cause?
Tension, relaxation, adduction, abduction
What does tension of the vocal cords do to sound?
Increase pitch
What does relaxation of the vocal cords do to sound?
Decrease pitch
What does adduction of the vocal cords do to sound?
Quieter
What does abduction of the vocal cords do to sound?
Louder
What are all the intrinsic laryngeal muscles innervated by?
CNX
What muscles are the tensors of the larynx?
Cricothyroid muscles
What muscles are relaxers of the larynx?
Thyroarytenoid muscles
What muscles are the adductors of the vocal cords?
Lateral crico-arytenoid muscles and arytenoid muscles
What muscles are abductors of the vocal cords?
Posterior crico-arytenoid muscles
Where do supra-glottis tumours drain to?
Superior deep cervical nodes
How do glottic and sub-glottic tumours present?
Voice changes/airway obstruction
Where do sub-glottic tumours drain to?
Paratracheal nodes
What muscles allow inspiration?
Diaphragm and or intercostal muscles
The laryngeal buzz is amplified by what structures?
Pharynx, oral and nasal cavities
What happens to the soft palate when forming oral sounds?
It tenses (CNV3) and elevates (CNX) to close off the nasopharynx
What happens to the soft palate when forming nasal sounds?
It tended (CNV3) and descends (CNX) to close off the oropharynx
What sounds are produced nasally?
M, n, ing
What nerve supply to the tongue and teeth and lips aids sound?
Tongue= CNXII
Teeth and lips= CNVII
What nerve supplies all of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx except cricothyroid?
Inferior laryngeal nerve
What nerve supplies the cricothyroid?
External laryngeal nerve
What supplies the musosa above and below the vocal folds?
Above = internal laryngeal nerve, below= inferior laryngeal nerve
The recurrent laryngeal nerve becomes what nerve at the cricothyroid joint?
Inferior laryngeal nerve
What does the vagus nerve supply in the neck?
Sensory and motor supply to the palate, pharynx and larynx
How do you test the vagus nerve at the level of the pharynx?
Get the patient to have a sip of water and watch the larynx move up and down. Do they splutter?
How do you test the vagus nerve at the level of the larynx?
Is the voice hoarse? Is coughing normal and powerful?
Where does the vagus nerve pass through the base of the skull?
Jugular foramen
The vagus nerve descends through thence within what?
The carotid sheath
Where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve branch off the vagus nerve?
In the mediastinum
