The Larynx Flashcards
whats is the larynx and wat does it do
a cartilaginous structure which is anterior to the laryngopharynx (a respiratory organ)
it connects pharynx to trachea
what fossa does the laryngopharynx have and what is that fossa
piriform fossa
its a depression in the mucous membrane on each side of the laryngeal inlet w-where there is lodging of foreign bodies
where is thelarynx located
below hyoid bone at level of C4-C6
what are the functions of the larynx
acts as protective sphincter which separates the lower respiratory system from the alimentary system
voice production
the laryngeal skeleton consists of how many cartilages and how are these joined
9 which are joined by membranes and ligaments
what are the cartilages of the laryngeal skeleton
there are 3 single cartilages:
- thyroid
- cricoid
- epiglottis
there are 3 paired cartilages:
- arytenoid
- corniculate
- cuneiform
what cartilages are made of hyaline cartilage
thyroid
cricoid
arytenoid
what cartilages are made of elastic fibrocartilage
epiglottic
corniculate
cuneiform
with age what happens to some parts of the cartilage
calcify or ossify
whats the largest cartilage
thyroid
thyroid cartilage forms what prominence
laryngeal prominence which has the adam’s apple when the two plate laminae fuse
the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage attach to what
hyoid bone by the thyrohyoid membrane
the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage attach to what
cricoid cartilage
which cartilage forms the foundation of the larynx
cricoid cartilage
whats the shape of the cricoid cartilage
signet ring (complete ring)
what does the posterior and anterior part of the cricoid cartilage form
posterior- forms a lamina
anterior- forms an arch
what does the cricoid cartilage attach to
thyroid cartilage by the median cricothyroid ligament
trachea by cricotracheal ligament
what does the epiglottic cartilage form
anterior superior wall and margin of larynx inlet
what does the epiglottic cartilage attach to
thyroid cartilage by thyroepiglottic ligament
what does the arytenoid cartilage articulate with
superior border of the cricoid cartilage lamina
what are the corniculate and cuneiform cartilages
they are small nodules in the posterior part of the aryepiglottic folds
whats the function of the vocal folds (true vocal cords)
they control sound production
they act as inspiratory sphincter
what does each vocal fold have
vocal ligament and a vocalis muscle
whats the vocal ligament
the medial free edge of the lateral cricothyroid ligament
whats the vocalis muscle
its the medial part of the thyroarytenoid muscle
what does the glottis (vocal apparatus) comprise of
vocal folds and processes and aperture between vocal folds
changes in pitch of voice occurs due to variation in what
tension and length of the vocal folds
width of the aperture between the vocal folds
intensity of expiry effort
the vestibular folds (false vocal cords) consist of what
2 thick folds of mucous membrane
the vestibular folds extend between what
the thyroid and arytenoid cartilages
whats the vestibule
a space lateral to the vestibular folds (is superior to the vestibular folds)
whats the ventricle of the larynx
the lateral indentation between the vocal and vestibular folds
the laryngeal cavity and folds are divided into what 3 parts
vestibule
ventricle
infraglottic cavity- which is from the vocal folds to the inferior of the cricoid cartilages
what are the extrinsic laryngeal ligaments and membranes
cricotracheal ligament
hyoepiglottic ligament
thyroepiglottic ligament
thyrohyoid membrane
what are the intrinsic laryngeal ligaments and membranes
quadrangular membrane
cricothyroid ligament
what folds makes up the upper part of the cricothyroid ligament
vocal folds
what does the hyoepiglottic ligament attach
epiglottis to the hyoid bone
the thyrohyoid ligament extends from
thyroid cartilage to medial surface of the hyoid bone
laryngeal muscles are divided into what
extrinsic and intrinsic laryngeal muscles
extrinsic laryngeal muscles include what
infrahyoid muscles
what do infrahyoid muscles do
depress hyoid bone and larynx
intrinsic laryngeal muscles include what
adductors and abductors
what do the adductors and abductors muscles do
move the vocal folds to open and close the rima glottidis (aperture between vocal folds)
what muscles male up the principle adductors
lateral cricoarytenoids muscle
transverse arytenoid muscles
what muscle make up the abductors
the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles
which intrinsic laryngeal muscles make up the sphincter
lateral cricoarytenoid
which intrinsic laryngeal muscle make up tensors
crocothyroid
which intrinsic laryngeal muscles make up relaxers
thyroarytenoid
what makes up the vocalis muscles
intrinsic laryngeal muscles
what arteries supply the larynx
superior laryngeal artery- which is a branch of the superior thyroid artery a branch of the external carotid artery
inferior laryngeal artery- a branch of the inferior thyroid artery a branch of the subclavian artery
what veins drain the larynx
superior laryngeal vein
inferior laryngeal vein
what are the lymph vessels of the larynx
superior deep cervical lymph nodes- pretracheal/ paratracheal lymph nodes- inferior deep cervical lymph nodes
what is the nerve supply of the larynx
branches of the vagus nerve i.e.
superior laryngeal nerve branches into
- internal laryngeal nerve (sensory) of the larynx
- external laryngeal nerve (motor) to the cricothyroid muscle
recurrent laryngeal nerve (motor)-which supplies most muscles of the larynx
motor function of the vagus nerve supplies what
pharyngeal constrictor muscles
intrinsic muscles of the larynx
muscles of the palate
parasympathetic function of the vagus nerve supplies what
smooth muscles of the trachea
bronchi
GI tract
heart
sensory function of the vagus nerve supplies what
tongue
pharynx
larynx
thoraco abdominal viscera
auricle
external auditory meatus
meninges of post cranial fossa
fractures of the laryngeal skeleton produces what
submucous hemorrhage and edema
respiratory obstruction
hoarseness pf the voice
whats laryngoscopy
a procedure used to examine the interior of the larynx
what is laryngitis
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx
what can cause laryngeal obstruction (choking)
aspiration of foreign bodies
valsalva maneuver-which is when there is forced expiration effort against a closed airway
injury to the laryngeal nerves causes what
paralysis of vocal folds which causes a hoarse voice
what happens to the larynx in males when they reach puberty
the larynx cavity enlarges and vocal folds lengthen
where is the body of hyoid bone located
C3
where is the upper border of the thyroid cartilage located
C4
where is the cricothyroid ligament located
between cricoid and thyroid cartilage
cricoid cartilage lies at
C6
where is the cricotracheal ligament located
between the cricoid cartilage and the first ring of the trachea