Larynx: Applied Anatomy

Question 1

Injury to both external laryngeal nerves

Answer 1

1. Leads to paralysis of both cricothyroid muscles and vocal cords relaxation
2. Cause weak, low pitched, and mild hoarseness of voice

Question 2

Injury of recurrent laryngeal: on one side

Answer 2

Leads to hoarse breathy voice

Question 3

Injury of recurrent laryngeal: on both sides

Answer 3

1. Complete injury: aphonia
2. Incomplete injury: stridor

Question 4

Tracheostomy

Answer 4

Procedure in which a hole is made in trachea and tube is inserted to enable ventilation

Question 5

Tracheostomy during emergency

Answer 5

1. Tracheostomy is performed when there is laryngeal obstruction
2. Due to:
   - inhalation of a foreign body
   - severe edema secondary to anaphylactic reaction
   - severe head and neck trauma
3. Circothyroid ligament can be identified by simple palpitation and a small needle can be inserted to establish an airway

Question 6

Tracheostomy in calm atmosphere of operating theatre

Answer 6

1. Performed by small transverse incision in lower neck 1/3 anterior
2. Strap muscles are deviated lateral and trachea can be easily visualized
3. It is occasionally necessary to divide thyroid isthmus
4. An incision is made in 2nd and 3rd tracheal rings and small tracheostomy tube is inserted

Question 7

Post-tracheostomy

Answer 7

After tracheostomy has been in situ for required time length, it is simply removed and hole through which it was inserted almost closes without any intervention