Larynx Week 9 FINISHED Flashcards
How may cartilages make up the larynx? How many are single and how many are paired and what are their names?
9
3 single - thyroid, cricoid, epiglottic
3 paired - arytenoid, corniculate, cuneiform
What vertebral levels in the neck is the larynx found?
C3-C6
What does the larynx help the pharynx to connect with?
The trachea
What are the functions of the larynx?
Connects the pharynx with the trachea
Route for air into the respiratory tract
Provides a patent airway as well as a means for sealing it off temporarily
Guards the air passages especially during swallowing
Production of voice
Which of the laryngeal cartilages is the largest?
Thyroid
What does thyroid mean in greek?
Shield-like
What landmarks are found anteriorly on the thyroid cartilage?
- Inferior 2/3rds of the laminae (Latin - plate) which are found anteriorly fuse = laryngeal prominence (Adam’s apple)
- Above the prominence the laminae form a V shaped notch called the superior thyroid notch
- A small inferior notch, found in the middle of the inferior border of the cartilage
What landmarks are found posteriorly on the thyroid cartilage?
- Laminae project superiorly as the superior horn and inferiorly as the inferior horn
What landmarks are found superiorly on the thyroid cartilage?
- The superior horn and the superior border of the thyroid cartilage attaches to the hyoid bone via the thyrohyoid membrane
- Has a thickened median region = median thyrohyoid ligament
- Laterally = lateral thyrohyoid ligament
What attaches the superior horn and the superior border of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?
The thyrohyoid membrane
What is the thickened median region of the thyrohyoid membrane?
The median thyrohyoid ligament
What are the thickened lateral regions of the thyrohyoid membrane?
The lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
What is the laryngeal prominence also known as?
The adams apple
What is the V shaped notch above the laryngeal prominence called?
The superior thyroid notch
What do the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage articulate with?
The inferior horns articulate with the lateral surfaces of the cricoid cartilage at the cricothyroid joints
What shape is the cricoid cartilage?
Signet ring shaped with the ‘band’ facing anteriorly
Compare the thyroid and cricoid cartilages in terms of strength and size
The thyroid is larger but the cricoid is thicker and stronger
What is the cricoid claim to fame?
It is the only complete ring of cartilage to completely encircle any part of the airway
What does the cricoid attach to superiorly and what attaches these structures?
Attaches to the thyroid cartilage by the median cricothyroid ligament
What does the cricoid attach to inferiorly and what attaches these structures?
Attaches to the 1st tracheal ring by the cricotracheal ligament
What shape are the arytenoid cartilages?
They are pairs of 3 sided pyramids
What do the arytenoid cartilage articulate with?
They articulate with the lateral parts of the superior lateral borders of the cricoid cartilage lamina also known as the cricoarytenoid articulation
What are the processes of the arytenoid cartilages?
An apex superiorly, a vocal process anteriorly and a large muscular process that extends from the base laterally
What can be found at the apex of the arytenoid cartilages?
The corniculate cartilages
What does epiglottis translate to in Greek?
Epi - upon
Glottis - vocal apparatus
What shape is the epiglottic cartilage? What is it covered in?
Heart shaped, broad superiorly and tapers inferiorly and is covered in mucus membrane
Where is the epiglottic cartilage found?
At the root of the tongue and the hyoid bone