The Larynx & Phonation Flashcards
primary functions of the larynx
- to protect the airway
- mechanically blocks foreign objects and food from lungs
- forcefully expels aspirated materials
- forcefully expels back flow
- forcefully expels extra mucus
secondary function of the larynx
to produce voice
what is the anatomy of the larynx?
- suspended from hyoid bone
- in front of the throat
- base of the tongue
- attached to trap muscles above that can elevate the larynx and lower it; when swallowing it moves
anatomy of the hyoid bone
- attached to the tongue
- thyroid cartilage hangs below hyoid bone
thyroid anatomy
- gap between cricoid and thyroid cartilage: muscular gap that allows criciothyroid and ligament to contract and allows change in pitch of voice
- thyroid glands wrap around the larynx
- hyperthyroidism - change in thyroid
the anterior commissure is
the vocal fold ‘V’ in the front of the throat
what is the arytenoid cartilage?
where the membrane portions of the vocal fold is attached so that the AC can move the membraneous portion of the vocal fold
what is considered the true vocal folds?
the white ‘V’ , vocal ligament
what is consider to be the false vocal folds?
area outside of the the white ‘V’
what is the epiglottis?
crescent shapes tissue
list the muscles that adduct the vocal folds
- thyroarytenoid muscle: rotates the arytenoid cartilages and brings them together
- lateral cricoarytenoid muscle: helps to rotate the arytenoids and hold them in position
- interarytenoid muscles: between the arytenoid cartilages and directly pulls them close together
muscles that abduct the vocal folds
posterior cricoarytenoid muscles — attached posteriorly, not at the anterior commissure, but posteriorly. And they abduct the arytenoid cartilages, which pull the membranous portion along with them.
