Larynx Intro Flashcards
What is the larynx primarily made of?
Cartilage
What two things does the larynx connect?
Lower part of the pharynx to the trachea
What are the functions of the larynx?
Prevents passage of food into the airway during swallowing, regulates flow of air into the lungs, vocalization
How long is the larynx in an adult?
5cm
Along which vertebral levels does the larynx lie?
C3-C6
What are they six types of cartilages of the larynx?
Thyroid, cricoid, epiglottic, arytenoid, corniculate, cuneiform
What structure of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx is known as the “Adam’s apple”?
Laryngeal prominence (anterior median elevation)
What is the notch on top of the thyroid cartilage called?
Superior thyroid notch
What is the less defined notch located at the bottom of the thyroid cartilage called?
Inferior thyroid notch
What portion of the thyroid cartilage is attached to the greater horn of the hyoid bone?
Superior horn
Which portion of the thyroid cartilage articulates with the cricoid cartilage?
Inferior horn
What are the lateral walls of the thyroid cartilage called?
Laminae
What is located on the external surface of the thyroid cartilage laminae that provides attachment for the inferior constrictor, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid muscles?
Oblique line
What does “krikos” mean in Greek?
Ring
Which cartilage is located most inferior of all the laryngeal cartilages?
Cricoid
Which cartilage lies behind the root of the tongue and body of the hyoid bone?
Epiglottic
Which cartilage’s lower end is attached to the back of the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage by the thyroepiglottic ligament?
Epiglottic
Which cartilage is paired and pyramidal in shape?
Arytenoid
Which cartilage’s bases articulate with the lamina of the cricoid cartilage?
Arytenoid
What part of the arytenoid cartilage gives attachment to the vocal ligament (pointed part)?
Vocal process
What part of the arytenoid cartilage gives attachment to intrinsic muscles of the larynx?
Muscular process
Which cartilage is paired and lie on the apices of the arytenoid cartilages, close to the aryepiglottic folds?
Corniculate
Which cartilage is a remnant of the embryologic arches?
Corniculate
Which cartilage is paired and lie in the aryepiglottic folds anterior to the corniculate cartilages?
Cuneiform
Which cartilage can appear ossified in x-rays thus resembling fracture fragments?
Cuneiform
What are the two joints of the larynx?
Cricothyroid and cricoarytenoid joints
Which joint is a synovial hinge joint between the side of the cricoid cartilage and the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage?
Cricothyroid
What movement does the cricothyroid joint allow?
Rotation of the thyroid cartilage around a horizontal axis
Which joint is a synovial joint between the upper border of the cricoid cartilage and the base of the arytenoid cartilage?
Cricoarytenoid joint
What movement does the cricoarytenoid joint allow?
Gliding and rotation of the arytenoid cartilage on the cricoid cartilage to move the vocal cords
What are the five ligaments of the larynx?
Thyrohyoid, median cricothyroid, vocal, conus elasticus, quadrangular
Which ligament extends from the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?
Thyrohyoid
Which ligament is pierced on each side by the internal laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal vessels?
Thyrohyoid
Which ligament extends from the arch of the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage?
Median cricothyroid
Which ligament extends from the thyroid cartilage in front to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage behind?
Vocal
Which ligament actively vibrates during speech?
Vocal
What are the two other names for the conus elasticus?
Cricovocal membrane, lateral cricothyroid ligament
Which ligament is a fibroelastic membrane which extends upward from the cricoid cartilage to the vocal ligament?
Conus elasticus
The vocal ligament forms the free edge of which membrane/ligament?
Conus elasticus
Which ligament connects the epiglottic cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage on each side?
Quadrangular membrane
Which part of the quadrangular membrane forms the aryepiglottic ligament within the aryepiglottic fold?
Superior margin
Which part of the quadrangular membrane forms the vestibular ligament within the vestibular fold?
Inferior margin
What are the two pairs of folds found in the larynx?
Vestibular and vocal
Which pair of folds is known as the false vocal cords?
Vestibular
Which pair of folds is known as the true vocal cords?
Vocal
Which pair of folds has a protective function by initiating the cough reflex and do not vibrate?
Vestibular
Where do the vocal folds lie in relation to the vestibular folds?
Inferior and medial
What do the vocal folds contain?
Vocal ligament and vocalis muscle
What forms the bulk of the vocal fold?
Vocalis muscle
What is the space between the vestibular folds called?
Rima vestibuli
What is the space between the vocal folds called?
Rima glottidis
What is the most narrow part of the laryngeal cavity?
Rima glottidis
What does the glottis contain?
Rima glottidis and vocal folds
What are the three cavities that are created by the vestibular and vocal folds (superior to inferior)?
Laryngeal vestibule, laryngeal ventricles, infraglottic cavity
What cavity formed by the folds extends from the laryngeal inlet to the vestibular folds?
Laryngeal vestibule
What cavity lies between the vestibular folds and vocal folds?
Laryngeal ventricle(s)
What cavity formed by the folds extends from the vocal folds to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage?
Infraglottic cavity
What is the diverticulum within the laryngeal ventricle called that contains glands which lubricate the vocal folds?
Laryngeal saccule
When hoarse, what is the status of the laryngeal saccule?
Its lubricant is partially depleted
What is the proper term for inflammation of the vocal cords?
Laryngitis
