Larynx and laryngopharynx

Question 1

Describe the upper and lower borders of the larynx?

Answer 1

Epiglottis to C6/inferior border of cricoid cartilage

Question 2

Describe the bones of the laryngeal skeleton?

Answer 2

Hyoid bone: deficient posteriorly

Thyroid cartilage: deficient posteriorly

Cricoid cartilage: closed posteriorly

Question 3

Describe the membranes of the larynx?

Answer 3

Thyrohyoid membrane: hyoid bone to thyroid cartilage

Cricothyroid membrane: thyroid cartilage to cricoid cartilage

Question 4

Which muscle of the oral cavity attaches to the hyoid bone?

Answer 4

Mylohyoid muscle

Question 5

What bone of the larynx forms the Adam’s apple?

Answer 5

Thyroid cartilage

Question 6

Within which bone of the laryn are the vocal cords found?

Answer 6

Thyroid cartilage

Question 7

Which bone of the larynx do the arytenoid cartilages articulate with?

Answer 7

Cricoid cartilage

Question 8

Describe the arytenoid cartilages?

Answer 8

Pair of cartilages

Articulate with the cricoid cartilage inferiorly

Muscular process: attachment of intrinsic muscles of larynx

Vocal process: attachment of vocal ligaments

Can swivel to alter shape of vocal ligaments

Question 9

Describe the movements of the arytenoid cartilages?

How is this movement achieved?

Answer 9

Can swivel and slide together

Achieved by contraction of intrinsic muscles of larynx

Question 10

Where does the epiglottic cartilage arise from?

Answer 10

Posterior aspect of angle of thyroid cartilage

Question 11

Describe the position of the vocal ligaments in phonation and breathing?

Answer 11

Adducted for phonation

Abducted for breathing

Question 12

How are the vocal ligaments moved?

Answer 12

Intrinsic muscles of larynx contract/relax to alter position of arytenoid cartilages > alters position of vocal ligaments

Question 13

Describe the difference between the vestibular and vocal folds?

Answer 13

Vestibular: superior, false vocal cord

Vocal fold: inferior, true vocal cord

Question 14

Which are the only intrinsic muscles of the larynx involved in abducting the vocal ligaments?

Answer 14

Posterior cricoarytenoids

Question 15

Describe the action of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscles?

Answer 15

Pull musuclar processes away from each other > adduct vocal ligaments

Question 16

Describe the action of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?

Answer 16

Pulls muscular processes closer together > abducts vocal ligaments

Question 17

List the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, and describe their actions?

Answer 17

Posterior cricoarytenoid: abducts vocal fold

Trasnverse and oblique arytenoids: closes rima glottis

Lateral cricoarytenoids: adducts vocal folds

Vocalis and thryroarytenoid: relaxes vocal fold

Cricothyroid: lengthens vocal fold

Question 18

Describe the innervation of the larynx?

Answer 18

Braches of vagus

Superior laryngeal from above > internal and external laryngeal

Inferior laryngeal from below > recurrent laryngeal

Internal laryngeal: sensory to mucosa

External laryngeal: cricothyroid

Inferior laryngeal: intrinsic muscles excpet cricothyroid

Question 19

Describe the appearance of the vocal folds when the recurrent laryngeal nerve is damaged?

Answer 19

Vocal ligaments fall into halfway position on affected side when damaged

Question 20

Describe the blood supply of the larynx?

Answer 20

Superior thyroid vessels from above

Inferior thyroid vessels from below

Question 21

Describe the best position for creating an emergency airway? Why?

Answer 21

Cricothyroid membrane puncture, midline, slightly downward angle

Better than a tracheotomy, as there are not any major vessels here to be damaged (inferior thyroid vein sits over trachea)

Question 22

How can a patient’s position be manipulated in order to achieve intubation?

Answer 22

Hyperextend patient’s head slightly

Lines up pathway for tube better

Question 23

Describe the structures of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 23

Aryepiglottic fold

Piriform recess

Epiglottis

laryngeal inlet

Question 24

During swallowing, how is the laryngeal inlet sealed off?

Answer 24

Epiglottis folds down (not a perfect seal)

Whole larynx moves upwards as well

Question 25

Describe the sensory nerve supply of the pharynx?

Answer 25

Trigeminal (pharyngeal branches): nasopharynx

Glossopharyngeal (pharyngeal branches): oropharynx

Vagus (internal laryngeal): laryngopharynx

Question 26

Describe the motor nerve supply of the pharynx?

Answer 26

Mostly from vagus (pharyngeal branches)

Except stylopharyngeus: glossopharyngeal

Question 27

Describe the process of deglutition?

Answer 27