phonation 1

Question 1

2 main functions of larynx?

Answer 1

To protect lower resp tract by acting as a valve (safety)
Sound production by acting as a variable resistance to airflow in/out of lungs (speech)

Question 2

Where is the larynx located?

Answer 2

Between trachea and pharynx

Question 3

What are the main structures of the larynx? (5)

Answer 3

1. Thyroid cartilage
2. Cricoid cartilage
3. Arytenoid cartilages
4. Epiglottis
5. Hyoid bone

Question 4

What is one functional reason why the larynx is made of cartilage?

Answer 4

Can spring back from injuries

Question 5

T or F: our false vocal cords are used to produce speech

Answer 5

False – true vocal cords used to produce speech

Question 6

T or F: false vocal cords can rotate

Answer 6

False – only true vocal cords rotate

Question 7

Diff bw an intrinsic vs extrinsic muscle of the larynx?

Answer 7

• intrinsic = starts and ends in the larynx
• Extrinsic = starts in larynx, ends outside of it

Question 8

What are the intrinsic muscles of the larynx? Indicate if each one is an abductor, adductor, or tensor? (6)

Answer 8

1. Thyroarytenoid (ad)
2. Lateral cricoarytenoid (ad)
3. Transverse arytenoid (ad)
4. Oblique arytenoid (ad)
5. Cricothyroid muscle (recta and oblique) (tensor)
6. Posterior cricoarytenoid (ab)

Question 9

What are the 2 parts of the thyroarytenoid muscle?

Answer 9

1. Thyrovocalis (inner)
2. Thyromuscularis (outer)

Question 10

Which muscle is the ONLY muscle responsible for opening the vocal folds?

Answer 10

Posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA)

Question 11

Where do the vocal folds attach?

Answer 11

Arytenoid cartilage

Question 12

When the larynx moves up, where does the epiglottis go?

Answer 12

Down

Question 13

When the cricothyroid contracts, what happens to pitch? What happens to the vocal folds?

Answer 13

• Pitch increases
• Folds lengthen

Question 14

When the internal thyroarytenoid contracts, what happens to pitch? What happens to the vocal folds?

Answer 14

• Pitch decreases
• Folds shorten

Question 15

What covers the vocal cords when we swallow?

Answer 15

Aryepiglottic

Question 16

Are the vocal folds open or closed during breathing, voicing, and whispering?

Answer 16

• Breathing: open
• Voicing: closed
• Whispering: little gap

Question 17

Do vocal folds grow with age? Give approx. measurements?

Answer 17

• Yes
• Birth: 2mm
• Adults: 10-16mm

Question 18

Bigger vocal cords = ___ pitch

Answer 18

Lower (think men)

Question 19

What are the extrinsic muscles of the larynx? (3)

Answer 19

1. Laryngeal elevators (suprahyoid)
2. Laryngeal depressors (infrahyoid)
3. Laryngeal stabilizers (anchoring role)

Question 20

Which cranial nerve is most important for phonation?

Answer 20

Vagus (X)

Question 21

What are the two branches of the vagus nerve? What does each control?

Answer 21

1. Superior laryngeal nerve: pitch control – innervates cricothyroid
2. Recurrent laryngeal nerve: vocal fold opening – all intrinsic muscles except cricothyroid

Question 22

What are the two steps of prephonation? What is this called?

Answer 22

• Subglottal pressure buildup
• Increase in air velocity
• This is called vocal fold approximation

Question 23

The extent of approximation is referred to as ____.

Answer 23

Medial compression (medial parts of VFs comes together)

Question 24

What is medial compression a function of?

Answer 24

The adductor muscles in the larynx

Question 25

More medial compression = more _____.

Answer 25

Subglottal pressure is needed to force VFs apart and initiate phonation

Question 26

What is meant by “attack phase”?

Answer 26

VFs are adducted and start vibrating
Narrow opening (3mm) suffices

Question 27

What is Bernoulli’s principle?

Answer 27

High subglottal pressure = VFs open = air moves faster between folds = decrease in pressure = VFs stick together = subglottal pressure builds up again