The Larynx

Question 1

The larynx connects the inferior part of the ______ with the ______

Answer 1

pharynx

trachea

Question 2

What is the primary function of the larynx?

What is the secondary function of the larynx?

Answer 2

Primary: sphincter that regulates air flow and provides protection
Secondary: Phonation

Question 3

How is speech and phonation different?

Answer 3

Phonation is the larynx producing sound- speech shapes this into understandable words.

Question 4

What is the epiglottis?

Answer 4

Flap of elastic cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea

Question 5

What is the rima glottidis?

Answer 5

Opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx

Question 6

How is the protective function of the larynx achieved?

Answer 6

Glottic closure and the cough reflex

Question 7

Contraction of what muscles allow complete closure of the rima glottidis during swallowing?

Answer 7

Arytenoid muscles

Lateral cricoarytenoids

Question 8

Each vocal fold contains _____

Answer 8

a vocal ligament and a vocalis muscle

Question 9

Increasing tension of the vocal folds ____1_____ and relaxing the vocal folds _____2______

Answer 9

1) increases pitch

2) decreases pitch

Question 10

What is taking place in the larynx….

cricoarytenoids and arytenoid transverse and obliques muscles are contracted?

Answer 10

Normal speech
This causes complete closure of the rima glottidis and the vocal ligaments can vibrate creating noise. This also happens when you swallow.

Question 11

What muscles are working in normal speech?

Answer 11

lateral cricoarytenoids and arytenoid transverse and obliques are contracted

Question 12

The principle adductor of the vocal cords?

Answer 12

lateral Cricoarytenoids

Question 13

What is taking place in the larynx…

lateral cricoarytenoids are contracted but the arytenoid muscles are not?

Answer 13

Whispering
The lack of arytenoids mean although the vocal cords are together there is a gap between the arytenoid cartilages so air can pass through and breath will be modified into sound but there will be no tone

Question 14

What muscles are working in whispering?

Answer 14

lateral cricoarytenoids are contracted by the arytenoid muscles are not

Question 15

The principle abductor of the vocal folds?

Answer 15

Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles

Question 16

What is taking place in the larynx …..

The posterior cricoarytenoids are contracted

Answer 16

Forced respiration or shouting (forcing more air through larynx to make more noise when adduct)

Question 17

What muscles are working in forced respiration in the larynx?

Answer 17

Posterior cricoarytenoids

Question 18

Primary tensor of the larynx? What do they do?

Answer 18

cricothyroid muscles

increase distance between thyroid prominence and arytenoid cartilages by pulling the thyroid inferior and anterior

Question 19

Explain how high pitch is achieved?

Answer 19

The cricothyroid muscles contract pulling thyroid cartilage inferior and anterior which pulls the vocal ligament tight increasing pitch

Question 20

Primary relaxor of the larynx? What do they do?

Answer 20

Thyroarytenoid muscles

pull the arytenoid cartilages anteriorly

Question 21

Explain how low pitch is achieved?

Answer 21

The thyroarytenoid muscles pull the arytenoid cartilages anteriorly relaxant the vocal ligaments so pitch is lowered

Question 22

Mucosa above the vocal folds is innervated by the

Answer 22

internal laryngeal nerve (branch of superior laryngeal nerve)

Question 23

Mucosa below the vocal folds is innervated by the

Answer 23

inferior laryngeal nerve (a continuation of the recurrent laryngeal)

Question 24

Which nerve provides primary motor to the larynx?

Answer 24

Recurrent laryngeal/ inferior laryngeal > a branch of vagus