topic 16: The cartilages, ligaments and cavity of the larynx. The anatomy of the hyoid bone. Laryngoscopic image.

Question 1

Cartillages

6

Answer 1

Thyroid Cartilage:

Largest cartilage.
Adam’s Apple (laryngeal prominence): more prominent in males.
Consists of two laminae that join anteriorly at the laryngeal prominence.

Cricoid Cartilage:
Complete ring of cartilage located below the thyroid cartilage.
Forms the lower part of the laryngeal skeleton.

Epiglottis:
Leaf-shaped elastic cartilage.
Covers the laryngeal inlet during swallowing, preventing food from entering the trachea.

Arytenoid Cartilages (paired):
Pyramid-shaped.
Located on the posterior, superior aspect of the cricoid cartilage.
Attachment points for vocal cords and muscles that control vocal cord tension and position.

Corniculate Cartilages (paired):
Small, conical cartilages atop the arytenoid cartilages.

Cuneiform Cartilages (paired):
Small, rod-shaped cartilages embedded in the aryepiglottic folds, providing structural support.

Question 2

extrinsic ligaments

Answer 2

Thyrohyoid Membrane: Connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone; contains the median and lateral thyrohyoid ligaments.

Cricotracheal Ligament: Connects the cricoid cartilage to the first tracheal ring.

Hyoepiglottic Ligament: Connects the hyoid bone to the epiglottis.

Question 3

intrinsic ligaments

Answer 3

Cricothyroid Ligament: Connects the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage; the site for cricothyrotomy in emergency airway access.

Quadrangular Membrane: Extends from the lateral edges of the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages; forms the vestibular (false vocal) folds.

Vocal Ligaments: Run from the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilages; form the core of the true vocal cords.

Question 4

regions of cavity of larynx

Answer 4

Vestibule:
Extends from the laryngeal inlet to the vestibular folds (false vocal cords).
Contains the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and vestibular folds.

Ventricle:
The lateral recess between the vestibular folds above and the vocal folds below.

Infraglottic Cavity:
Extends from the vocal folds to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage.
Leads into the trachea.

Question 5

hyoid bone

Answer 5

The hyoid bone is a U-shaped bone located in the anterior neck, between the mandible and the thyroid cartilage. It serves as an anchoring structure for the tongue and muscles associated with swallowing.

Body: The central part of the hyoid bone.

Greater Horns (Cornua): Project posteriorly from the body.

Lesser Horns (Cornua): Small projections at the junction of the body and greater horns.

Question 6

when looking @ laryngoscopic image

Answer 6

Epiglottis: Appears as a flap-like structure at the base of the tongue.

Aryepiglottic Folds: Folds of tissue extending from the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages.

Vestibular Folds (False Vocal Cords): Appear as thickened mucosal folds superior to the true vocal cords.

Vocal Folds (True Vocal Cords): Pearly white structures that vibrate to produce sound.

Glottis: The space between the vocal cords.

Arytenoid Cartilages: Visible posterior structures that move to open and close the glottis