RESPIRATORY ANATOMY

Question 1

What muscles tense and relax the vocal cords

Answer 1

CricoThyroid = TENSE (cords tense)
ThyroaRytenoid = RELAX (they relax)

Question 2

What muscles abduct & adduct the vocal cords?

Answer 2

Posterior CricoArytenoid = ABduct (please come apart)

Lateral cricoarytenoid = ADDuct (let’s close airway)

Question 3

Describe the sensory innervation of the upper airway (4).

Answer 3

TRIGEMINAL (CN V)
V1(opthalmic) = nareas/anterior 1/3 of septum
V2(maxillary) = turbinates & septum
V3(mandibular) = anterior 2/3 tongue

GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL
Posterior 1/3 tongue
Soft palate
Oropharynx
Vallecula 
Anterior epiglottis

SUPERIOR LARYNGEAL
internal = posterior epiglottis to VC
External = NO sensory fxn; motor innervation of cricothyroid muscle

RECURRENT LARYNGEAL
Below VC to trachea

Question 4

How does recurrent laryngeal nerve injury affect the integrity of the airway?

Answer 4

BILATERAL:
+acute=respiratory distress (unopposed axn of cricothyroid muscles)
+chronic=no respiratory distress

UNILATERAL:
No respiratory distress

Question 5

Name 3 airway blocks and key landmarks for each

Answer 5

GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NB
Palatoglossal arch at the anterior tonsillar pillar

SUPERIOR LARYNGEAL NB
Greater cornu of hyoid

TRANSTRACHEAL NB
Cricothyroid membrane

Question 6

What are the 3 unpaired cartilages of larynx

Answer 6

epiglottis
thyroid cartilage
cricoid cartilage

Question 7

What are 3 paired cartilages of larynx

Answer 7

Cuneiform cartilages
Corniculate cartilages
Arytenoid cartilages

Question 8

How many total cartilages are in the larynx

Answer 8

9 (3 paired (6), 3 unpaired)

Question 9

What cervical levels is the larynx

Answer 9

C3 - C6