Larynx and Thyroid Flashcards
List three functions of the larynx
Respiration
Vocalisation
Protection of the respiratory passage during swallowing
How does the larynx protect the respiratory passage during swallowing?
The epiglottis closes the larynx so food doesn’t pass into the larynx and therefore the airways
T/F:
The entire larynx is lined with respiratory epithelium
False
Larynx is but epiglottis is lined with stratified squamous epithelium
The joints between the major cartilages of the larynx are _____
synovial
List the three hyaline cartilages of the larynx
Thyroid
Cricoid
Arytenoid
T/F:
All the hyaline cartilages are singular
False
Thyroid and cricoid are singular but arytenoid is paired
List some features of the thyroid cartilage
Anterior lamina Laryngeal prominence Superior horn Inferior horn Oblique line
Which is the only cartilage that surrounds the larynx?
Cricoid
T/F:
The cricoid lamina is anterior and the arch is posterior
False
Lamina is posterior
Arch is anterior
T/F:
Many of the intrinsic muscles attach to the arytenoid cartilage
True
T/F:
The vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilage are directed medially and are the sites of attachment of the vocal ligament/fold/vocalis muscle
False
Everything is true except that they are directed anteriorly
Which direction are the muscular processes of the larynx directed?
Laterally
The apex of the larynx is directed ______ and is attached to the _______
Directed superiorly
Attached to the aryepiglottic muscle/fold
T/F:
The fibrocartilages of the larynx are all single except the cuniform
False
all paired except the epiglottis which is single
Where are the corniculate cartilages located?
Apex of the arytenoid cartilage
Where are the cuniform cartilages?
In the sides of the aryepiglottic fold
Where are the tritiate cartilages located?
In the thickened posterior part of the thyrohyoid membrane
Name the two synovial joints of the larynx
Cricothyroid
Cricoarytenoid
T/F:
The cricothyroid joint is between the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage to the medial lamina of the cricoid cartilage
False
Lateral lamina of cricoid cartilage
Where is the cricoarytenoid joint?
Upper border of cricoid cartilage to the base of the arytenoid
T/F:
The thyroepiglottic ligament is articulation of the epiglottis with posterior surface of the thyroid cartilage
True
Which muscles attach to the oblique line?
Extrinsic muscles sternothyroid and thyrohyoid
What are the boundaries of the inlet of the larynx?
Surrounded by the upper border of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds
What are the boundaries of the vestibule of the larynx?
From the inlet to the superior edge of the vestibular folds
What are the boundaries of the intermediate cavity?
From the vestibular folds down to the level of the vocal folds
What is fima glottidis?
Gap between the vocal folds
What are the boundaries of the inflaepiglottic cavity?
Inferior edge of the vocal folds to the top of the trachea
T/F:
Vestibule folds are more superior than vocal folds
True
T/F:
Vestibule and vocal folds are mark of elastic vocal ligament and vocalis muscle
False
Only vocal folds are
Vestibule folds are soft folds of mucous membrane
T/F:
Both the folds are made of respiratory epithelium
False
Vestibule folds are
Vocal folds are made of non-keratinized squamous epithelium
T/F:
Thyrohyoid membrane and cricotracheal membrane are intrinsic membranes
False
Extrinsic membranes
Where does the thyrohyoid membrane extend from?
Upper thyroid cartilage to hyoid
T/F:
The lateral borders of the thyrohyoid membrane thicken to form the thyrohyoid ligament
False
Posterior borders
Which cartilage does the thyrohyoid membrane incorporate?
Tritiate cartilage
T/F:
The cricotracheal membrane extends from the cricoid cartilage to lateral edge of the trachea
False
Superior edge of the trachea
T/F:
The intrinsic muscles are paired except for arytenoid
True
What is the function of the intrinsic muscles?
Change the positions of the cartilages
Change positions of the vocal cords/tension/modify laryngeal inlet
T/F:
The vocal process of the arytenoid is attached to the vocal folds
True
Which muscle is visible on the superficial surface of an intact larynx?
Cricothyroid
Where does the cricothyroid muscle extend from?
Superficial surface of cricoid arch to the deep surface of the thyroid lamina and inferior horn
Which muscles are best seen when the thyroid cartilage is partly removed ie the intrinsic muscles deep/posterior to the thyroid cartilage?
Aryepiglottic muscle Oblique Arytenoid muscle Transverse arytenoid muscle Posterior Cricoarytenoid muscle Lateral Cricoarytenoid muscle
T/F:
The aryepiglottic muscle extends from the lateral sides of the arytenoid cartilage to the sides of the epiglottis
False
Apex of the arytenoid cartilage
Which other muscle is continuous with the aryepiglottic muscle?
Oblique arytenoid muscles
Where does the oblique arytenoid muscle extend from?
Muscular process of one arytenoid cartilage to the apex of the opposite one
T/F:
The transverse arytenoid muscle extends from the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage to the lateral edge of the opposite one.
False
Muscular process to muscular process
T/F:
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle extends from the posterior cricoid lamina to the muscular process of the contralateral arytenoid
False
ipsilateral arytenoid
T/F:
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is deep to the cricothyroid muscle
True
Where does the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle extend from?
Arch of the cricoid back and up to the muscular process of arytenoid
Where does thyroarytenoid muscle extend from?
Inner surface of arch of thyroid cartilage to vocal process of arytenoid cartilage
What forms the vocalis muscle?
Medial extension of the thyroarytenoid muscle
Where does the thyroepiglottis extend from?
Inner surface of thyroid lamina to lateral surface of epiglottis (some of the fibres intertwine with aryepiglottis)
Which two muscles close the inlet?
Aryepiglottic and oblique arytenoid muscles
the two that make a big cross posteriorly
Which muscle pulls the inlet open?
Thyroepiglottis
T/F:
When the vocal cords tense/tighten, the cricoid rocks forwards and the arytenoid cartilage is pulled posteriorly
False
Cricoid rocks backwards
Which muscle is responsible for tensing the vocal cords?
Cricothyroid muscle
Which two muscles relax the vocal cords?
thyroarytenoid and vocalis
Which three extrinsic muscles raise the larynx and compress the larygenal orifice?
Thyrohyoid
Stylopharyngeus
Palatopharyngeus
Which muscle lowers the larynx and opens the orifice?
Sternothyroid
Which foramen does the vagus nerve exit the skull via?
Jugular foramen
Describe the vagus nerve on the left hand side of the thorax
Crosses anterior surface of arch of aorta then recurrent laryngeal loops under the arch
Describe the vagus nerve on the right hand side of the thorax
Crosses anterior surface of subclavian artery and then loops under the subclavian artery
On both sides of the thorax, the recurrent laryngeals run in a groove inbetween which two structures?
Oesophagus and trachea
T/F:
Recurrent laryngeals pass superficially to the thyroid gland
False
Deep/posteriorly
What is the function of the vagus nerve in terms of the larynx/oral cavity?
Sensory and somatic motor to the larynx and pharynx
Sensory to soft palate
Which muscle does the superior laryngeal nerve internal branch pass under?
Thyrohyoid muscle
then pierces the thyrohyoid membrane
What does the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve supply?
Sensory and motor to mucosa down to the level of and including the vocal folds
What does the external branch of the superior larygenal nerve supply?
Cricothyroid and inferior constrictor muscles of pharynx
Sensory and motor
What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve supply?
All the muscles except the cricothyroid muscle
Mucos membrane below vocal fold
Where do the thyroid lobes extend to?
Thyroid cartilage to 4th/5th tracheal cartilage
T/F:
The thyroid is superficial to the infrahyoid muscles
False
Deep
