Larynx and Laryngopharynx Flashcards
What are the upper and lower borders of the larynx?
the epiglottis and the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage
What structures make up the laryngeal skeleton?
the hyoid bone, the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, epiglottic cartilage and two arytenoid cartilages
What is the shape of the cricoid cartilage?
a complete ring with a short arch anteriorly and a tall lamina posteriorly
What are the attachments of the vocal cords?
anterior vocal processes of arytenoids and the anterior thyroid cartilage
What is the role of the vocal cords?
to adduct in phonation and abduct in breathing
What is the vestibular fold?
the false vocal cord - the first mucosal fold visible when looking down the larynx but doesn’t contain vocal cords and isn’t responsible for phonation
What muscle is responsible for abducting the vocal cords?
posterior cricoarytenoid
What is the nerve supply to the larynx?
all branches of vagus - superior laryngeal (which divides into internal and external) from above and recurrent laryngeal from below
What nerve supplies the mucosa above the vocal ligament?
the internal laryngeal
Which nerve supplies the cricothyroid muscle?
the external laryngeal
Which nerve supplies all the muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid and supplies the mucosa below the vocal cords?
recurrent laryngeal
Damage to what nerve causes hoarse voice and stridor?
recurrent laryngeal
Why is it safer to puncture the cricothyroid membrane instead of directly over the trachea when doing an emergency airway?
there are much fewer blood vessels
What features prevent food and liquid from going down the airways?
the epiglottis, the piriform recess and the elevation of the larynx
What is the sensory nerve supply of the pharynx?
pharyngeal branches of glossopharyngeal with reinforcement by the trigeminal nerve in the nasopharynx and vagus in the laryngopharynx
