Larynx - SRS Flashcards
What are the functions of the larynx?
- Respiratory - connects pharynx to trachea
- Voice producing (phonation)
- Prevent food entering airways
At what vertebral level is the larynx located?
CV3-CV6
What are the internal features of the larynx? (9)
- Laryngeal aditus – superior opening from pharynx
- Vestibule – area proximal (above) vestibular folds
- Vestibular (false) folds
- Rima vestibuli – opening between vestibular folds
- Ventricle – between vestibular and vocal folds
- True vocal folds
- Rima glottidis – opening between true vocal folds
- Shape varies depending on position of vocal folds
- Variation in the tension and length of the vocal folds, and width of rima produces changes in pitch of the voice.
- Glottis – rima glottidis plus vocal folds
- Infraglottic cavity - distal (below) true vocal folds
What vertebral level is the cricoid cartilage at?
CV6
What is the junction of the larynx and trachea?
Cricoid cartilage - CV6
What is the junction of the esophagus and pharynx?
cricoid cartilage - CV6
Where is a tracheotomy performed to overcome obstruction of the upper airway?
- Obstruction of the upper airway can be overcome by puncturing the larynx or trachea.
- Incision is made between the cricoid cartilage and the first tracheal cartilages.
- Incision can also be made between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages (through the cricothyroid ligament).
What are the laryngeal cartilages?
- Thyroid
- Cricoid
- Arytenoid
- Epiglottic
- Corniculate
- Cuneiform
What vertebral level is the thyroid cartilage at?
CV4 and CV5
What level is the cricoid cartilage found at?
CV6
Where do we find the arytenoid cartilage?
Lie perched atop the posterior portion of the cricoid cartilage
What are the important structures of the arytenoid cartilage? (3)
- Apex – attaches to aryepiglottic fold
- Vocal process – attaches to vocal ligament
- Muscular process – attaches to posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles
The epiglottic cartilage is a leaf shaped, elastic cartilage situated posterior to the root of the tongue. The broad superior end is free, and the inferior end is attached to the thyroid cartilage.
What is the function of this cartilage?
Muscles of the pharynx pull the thyroid cartilage against the epiglottis during swallowing to prevent food from moving into the larynx.
What are the four ligaments of the epiglottic cartilage?
- Thyroepiglottic ligament
- Hyoepiglottic ligament
- Aryepiglottic ligament
- Glossoepiglottic ligaments (median and lateral)
Where is the corniculate cartilage found?
Lies atop the apex of the arytenoid cartilages
Where is the cuneiform cartilage found?
In aryepiglottic folds
The larynx has extrinsic and intrinsic ligaments. What are the extrinsic ligaments?
- Thyrohyoid membrane
- Cricotracheal ligament – attaches cricoid to first tracheal cartilage
- Hyoepiglottic ligament
- Glossoepiglottic ligament
What pierces the thyrohyoid membrane?
Internal laryngeal nerve
Superior laryngeal artery
What are the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx?
- Quadrangular ligament
- Cricovocal ligament
The quadrangular ligament attaches anteriorly to the thyroid and epiglottic cartilages, and posteriorly to the arytenoid cartilage.
What ligaments does it form?
When covered with mucosa what do these form?
- Forms vestibular ligaments; covered with mucosa = vestibular fold
- Forms aryepiglottic ligament; covered with mucosa = aryepiglottic fold