Topic 3 - The Larynx Flashcards
Name 2 unpaired cartilages of the larynx
UNPAIRED: - thyroid - epiglottis - cricoid cartilage
Which muscles make up the vocal folds themselves? What is/are its attachments?
Muscles of the vocal folds: Thyroarytenoid muscle - helps close the glottis & regulate tension of vocal fold during speaking Vocal folds are located in the larynx at the top of the trachea Vocal folds are posteriorly attached to the Arytenoid cartilages Vocal folds are anteriorly attached to the thyroid cartilages
What is the position of the true vocal folds during phonation/voicing?
The true vocal cords during phonation are ADDucted (moved together) to be placed into the airstream so the Rima Glottidis is very narrow and slit shaped
Where is the corniculate cartilage located?
the corniculate cartilage is attached to the superior surface of the Arytenoid cartilages
What is the anatomical function of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?
The anatomical function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle leads to ADDuction of the vocal folds
The upper edge of the quadrangular membrane forms the aryepiglottic fold
True or false
True The aryepiglottic fold is a thickening of the upper border of the quadrangular membrane. The quadrangular membrane connects the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, Arytenoid/corniculate cartilages
What is the conus elasticus? Describe its location
Conus elasticus is a cone shaped structure made up of the medial and lateral cricothyroid ligaments together with the vocal ligaments.
What are the aryepiglottic folds and how do they relate to the quadrangular membrane?
Aryepiglottic folds are thickening of the upper border of the quadrangular membranes Quadrangular membranes connect the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage and Arytenoid/corniculate cartilages.
The hyoid bone is one of the articulating structures of the cricoarytenoid joint
True or false
False The hyoid does not articulate with any other bone. It is attached to the styloid processes of the temporal bones by the stylohyoid ligament and to the thyroid cartilage by the thyrohyoid membrane and muscle. The hyoid gives attachment to a variety of muscles and ligaments that connect it to the cranium, mandible, tongue, larynx, pharynx, sternum, and shoulder girdle.
What is the Rima glottidis?
The Rima glottidis is the gap between the true vocal cords
Which groups of muscles allow vertical movement of the entire larynx (ie up and down)?
The groups of muscles which allow vertical movement of the entire larynx is the extrinsic laryngeal muscles, which include suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles
Which branch of the vagus nerve supplies just one intrinsic laryngeal muscle?
Branch of the vagus nerve that supplies just one intrinsic laryngeal muscle is the recurrent laryngeal nerve
Name 4 muscles that attach to the hyoid bone?
4 muscles that attach to the hyoid bone: 1 - digastric 2- stylohyoid 3 - mylohyoid 4 - geniohyoid
In the larynx, what is the aditus?
Aditus is the superior opening into the larynx from the pharynx
What is the anatomical function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
The anatomical function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is the ADDuction of the vocal cords - vocal folds move close together
The false vocal folds are located slightly superior to the true vocal cords
True or false
True
False (ventricular) vocal folds are tissue folds located slightly superior to the true vocal folds.
They are not used for any form of phonation.
Name 2 muscles that attach to the cricoid cartilage
2 muscles that attach to the cricoid cartilage: Lateral cricoarytenoid muscles Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles
Which 2 major branches of the vagus nerve supply motor function to the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?
1- superior laryngeal nerve 2- recurrent laryngeal nerve
The term Cricothyroid is the name of both a joint AND a muscle in the larynx
True or false
True Cricothyroid joints are between the cricoid and the thyroid cartilages. The major movement at these joints is anteroposterior rocking. This stretches the vocal folds and produces changes in pitch during phonation. Cricothyroid muscles attach to the cricoid and thyroid cartilages and moves the Cricothyroid joints.
The digastric muscle is one of the infrahyoid muscles
True or false
False Infrahyoid muscles are depressors of larynx and hyoid bone. Include: sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid Suprahyoid muscles are elevators of larynx and hyoid bone. Include: digastric, mylohyoid, stylohyoid, geniohyoid
Name a joint in the larynx and a muscle involved in movement at that joint
Joint in the larynx:
- Cricoarytenoid joints - between cricoid and Arytenoid cartilages It’s responsible for ADDuction and ABDuction of the vocal folds - Glide
- Cricothyroid joint - between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. - Rock Changes the pitch of voices during phonation MUSCLES - intrinsic laryngeal muscles - Cricothyroid, Lateral cricoarytenoid, transversals & oblique arytenoids, posterior cricoarytenoid, thyroarytenoid
Name a specific joint in the larynx
Cricoarytenoid joints - between the cricoid and the Arytenoid cartilages. Movements along these joints include lateral/medial gliding of the Arytenoid cartilages and rotation. These movements are responsible for ADDuction and ABDuctionof the vocal folds to place them in the airway during phonation. Cricothyroid joints - between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. The major movements at these joints is rocking. This stretches the vocal folds and produces changes in pitch during phonation.
Which muscles elevate the larynx?
As a group, the suprahyoid muscles act as elevators (lifters) of the hyoid bone and the larynx. The suprahyoid muscles are attached to the hyoid bone and extend superiorly to the hyoid bone. They include: - digastric - stylohyoid - mylohyoid - geniohyoid
What are the Arytenoid or interarytenoid muscles?
Arytenoid muscle - a single muscle, filling up the posterior concave of the Arytenoid cartilages
Interarytenoid muscle - holds the vocal cords in a closed position.
It’s the only unpaired muscle of the larynx and consists of transverse and oblique fibres.
Contraction of the interarytenoid muscle brings together the Arytenoid cartilages and closes the posterior portion of the Rima glottis.
What is the general function of the infrahyoid muscles?
Infrahyoid muscles are attached to the hyoid bone and extend inferiorly to the larynx, sternum and clavicle. Include Sternohyoid, Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid, Sternothyroid The infrahyoid muscles act as depressors of the larynx and hyoid bone, with he exception of the thyrohyoid muscle, which can act as a depressor of the hyoid bone or an elevator of the larynx.
Which of the following is NOT a cartilage:
- cuneiform
- Arytenoid
- hyoid
- thyroid
A) cuneiform - yes paired cartilage B) Arytenoid - yes paired cartilage C) hyoid - no, bone D) thyroid - yes, unpaired cartilage
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus
True or false
True
- The nerves of the larynx arise as branches from the vagus nerve.
- The 2 major branches off the vagus nerve supply most of the larynx:
- Superior laryngeal nerve
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve
A function of the epiglottis is to cover the airway during swallowing.
True or false
True Epiglottis is a leaf shaped cartilage. It guards the entrance of the larynx. It folds posteriorly over the opening of the larynx during swallowing, preventing the entry of liquids or solid food into the respiratory airways. Is connected to hyoid and posterior side of thyroid cartilage. Attaches to the back off the thyroid cartilage via the thyroepiglottic ligament
Which muscle is the vocal fold ABDuctor, and what does ‘abductor’ mean in this case?
Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only ABductor of the vocal folds. ABduction - where vocal folds move apart - during breathing ADDuction - where vocal folds close and move together, narrow the Rima glottidis to nearly closed or slit-like, in straining efforts or before cough or sneeze Voice production is the result of the escape of small amounts of air between ADDucted vocal cords
Where is the epiglottis located and what is its function?
The epiglottis is located/attached to the posterior tongue and covers the laryngeal opening during swallowing
Name the suprahyoid muscles
The suprahyoid muscles are attached to the hyoid bone and extend superiorly to the hyoid bone. Include: Digastric Stylohyoid Mylohyoid Geniohyoid These also make up the floor of the mouth.
What is the major muscle of pitch control?
Thyroarytenoid muscle. Runs the length of the vocal cords Has 2 components - the thyrovocalis and thyromuscularis. These muscles can tense or relax the vocal folds, affecting pitch during phonation Throvocalis increases pitch Thyromuscularis decreases pitch
Name the infrahyoid muscles.
What is their function?
Infrahyoid muscles: Sternohyoid Mylohyoid Geniohyoid Thyrohyoid They are attached to the hyoid bone and extended inferiorly to the larynx, sternum and clavicle
The hyoid is one of the intrinsic laryngeal cartilages
True or false
False The hyoid bone is not part of the larynx, though the larynx is suspended from the hyoid.
What is the quadrangular membrane? Describe its location
Quadrangular membrane is a layer of submucosa. It contains the cuneiform cartilages. The membrane runs between the epiglottis and Arytenoid cartilages on each side. It connects the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage and artytenoid/corniculate cartilages
Which instrinsic laryngeal muscles are vocal fold ADDuctors?
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles that are vocal fold ADDuctors are the: Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle - attached to the Arytenoid and cricoid cartilages and causes rotation of the Arytenoid cartilages, leading to ADDuction of the vocal folds Transverse & Oblique arytenoids - connect the 2 Arytenoid cartilages. Contraction causes sliding of the Arytenoid cartilages, contributing to ADDuction
Name the suprahyoid muscles.
What is their function?
The suprahyoid muscles are: Digastric Stylohoid mylohoid Geniohyoid They are attached to the hyoid bone and extend superiorly to the hyoid bone
What is the difference between the cuneiform and triticeal cartilages?
The triticeal cartilage (TC) is a small cartilage found within the thyrohyoid membrane. The TC has a variable prevalence between and within individuals.
The cuneiform cartilage support the vocal cords and the epiglottis. They aid in the prevention of aspiration during swallowing
What is the laryngeal vestibule and is it the same as the laryngeal ventricle?
Laryngeal vestibule is the superior cavity between the aditus and ventricular folds (false vocal cords) Laryngeal ventricle is the space between the true and false vocal cords
What are false vocal folds and how are they different to the true vocal folds?
False vocal folds are tissue folds located slightly superior to the true vocal folds. They are not used in phonation True vocal folds are the vocal folds used to produce sound during phonation
Name 2 joints in the larynx and describe the movements of each
The joints of the larynx are the:
- cricothyroid
- cricoarytenoid
- arytenocorniculate
The cricothyroid joint is a synovial joint between the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage and the side of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage. Backward and forward rocking movements of both cartilages occur at this joint. These alter tension in the vocal cords.
The cricoarytenoid joint is a synovial joint between the tip of the cricoid lamina and base of the arytenoid cartilage. Both gliding movements and rotation occur at this joint so that the vocal process moves medially or laterally. This abducts or adducts the vocal cords, respectively (with associated opening or closing of the rima glottidis).
The corniculate cartilage articulates inferiorly with the apex of the arytenoid cartilage at the arytenocorniculate joint.
Name the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the larynx
Extrinsic muscles of the larynx: - Suprahyoid muscles - Infrahyoid muscles Intrinsic muscles of the larynx: - Cricothyroid - lateral cricoarytenoid - Transverse & oblique arytenoids - Posterior cricoarytenoid - thyroarytenoid
What are the actions caused by contraction of the Cricothyroid muscle and what effect do these actions have on voicing?
The cricothyroid muscles produces tension and elongation of the vocal folds.
The contraction of the cricothyroid (CT) muscle, which results in a decrease in the distance between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, is considered to be the main factor in lengthening the vocal folds. This is achieved by rotation of the CT joint.
Name 2 paired cartilages of the larynx
Paired cartilages of the larynx:
- Arytenoid cartilages
- corniculate cartilages
- cuneiform cartilages
The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal cartilage.
True or False
True Thyroid cartilage is shield shaped, largest cartilage. Is an unpaired cartilage Has superior and inferior horns Inferior horns make synovial joints with cricoid Laryngeal prominence = anterior angulation (Adam’s apple) Superior surface attached to epiglottis Suspended from the hyoid by the thyrohyroid muscle It’s function is to shield larynx from injury and provide an attachment to vocal cords
Describe the thyroarytenoid muscle
Thyroarytenoid muscle is a muscle that runs the length of the vocal folds Has 2 components - medial and lateral Muscles can tense or relax vocal folds, affecting pitch Connects to surface of thyroid cartilage and the Arytenoid cartilages
What is the name of the paired cartilages whose vocal processes attach to the vocal folds themselves?
The vocal folds are attached to the Arytenoid cartilages and to the thyroid cartilage.
What are ventricular folds?
Ventricular folds (false vocal folds) are tissue folds located superiorly to the true vocal folds. They are not used in phonation
Name the attachments of the omohyoid muscle
The attachments of the omohyoid muscle: The hyoid bone Scapula It has 2 bellies, one superior, one inferior
Which muscle is responsible for control of vocal pitch, and which muscle is additionally involved in FINE pitch control?
The muscle responsible for control of vocal pitch is the Thyroarytenoid muscles.
Flexing the cricothyroid muscle assists with fine pitch control
The CT rocks the thyroid cartilage forward, thereby stretching the vocal folds and raising vocal pitch. The TA lies within the vocal folds themselves and causes them to become shorter and stiffer, and has a nonlinear influence on vocal pitch. Other laryngeal muscles (depicted in grey) serve to adduct and abduct the vocal folds, effectively turning voicing on or off, or to raise and lower the entire larynx within the airway. These latter muscles have only a minor influence on vocal pitch
What is the difference between the corniculate and cuneiform cartilages?
Corniculate cartilages attach to the superior surface of the Arytenoid cartilages Cuneiform cartilages are small cartilaginous nodules found inside the aryepiglottic fold
What is the largest of the instrinsic laryngeal cartilages?
Largest of the intrinsic laryngeal cartilages is the: Lateral cricoarytenoid ligament
Where is the cricoid cartilage located?
The cricoid cartilage is the most inferior cartilage It attaches to the 1st tracheal cartilage via a membrane
Name 3 muscles which attach to the Arytenoid cartilages
Arytenoid cartilages attach to the superoposterior surface of the cricoid cartilage Arytenoid are paired cartilages 1- lateral cricoarytenoid muscle attaches the lateral aspects of the Arytenoid and cricoid cartilages and causes lateral rotation of the Arytenoid cartilages, leading to ADDuction of the vocal folds 2- Transverse & oblique Arytenoid muscles - connect the 2 Arytenoid cartilages. Contraction causes sliding, contributing to vocal fold ADDuction 3- Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle - attaches to the posterior aspects of the Arytenoid and cricoid cartilages. Causes rotation of the arytenoids, acting as the only ABDuctor of the vocal folds 4- Thyroarytenoid muscles - runs length of the vocal folds. Can tense and relax the vocal folds, affecting pitch during phonation
What is the anatomical function of the Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle’s anatomical function is that its the only ABDuctor of the vocal cords. ABDuctor moves the vocal folds apart
What is the anatomical function of the Cricothyroid muscle?
The Cricothyroid muscles attach to the cricoid and thyroid cartilages and moves the Cricothyroid joints
What is the position of the true vocal folds during forced inspiration?
During forced inspiration, the true vocal folds are ABDucted as widely as possible in order to widen the airway amd allow as much air to pass through as possible. Rima glottidis is kite shaped
Name the unpaired laryngeal cartilages
1- thyroid 2- cricoid 3- epiglottis PAIRED: 1- Arytenoid 2- corniculate 3- cuneiform
The quadrangular membrane is the same as the conus elasticus
True or false
False Conus elasticus is a cone shaped structure made up of the medial and lateral Cricothyroid ligaments together with the vocal ligaments. Quadrangular membrane connects the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage and Arytenoid/corniculate cartilages.
Name the paired laryngeal cartilages
1- Arytenoid 2- corniculate 3- cuneiform UNPAIRED: 1- thyroid 2- cricoid 3- epiglottis
Name 2 muscles that attach to the thyroid cartilage
2 muscles that attach to the thyroid cartilage: - thyrohyoid muscle - inferior pharyngeal constrictor
Describe specifically where the corniculate cartilages are located
The corniculate cartilages attach to the superior surface of the Arytenoid cartilages. Is a paired cartilage
The Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is a vocal fold ADDuctor
True or false
False The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle attaches to the posterior aspects of the Arytenoid and cricoid cartilages and causes medial rotation of the Arytenoid, acting as the only ABDuctor of the vocal cords
Which cranial nerve and branch/es supplies motor function to the larynx?
Which intrinsic muscles in particular
The cranial nerve and branches that supply motor function to the larynx is the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve innervates the majority of the muscles associated with the pharynx and the larynx.
What is the aditus?
The aditus is the superior opening into the larynx from the pharynx
On which cartilage would you find the laryngeal prominence?
Laryngeal prominence is found on the thyroid cartilage.
It’s composed of 2 sheets which join together anteriorly to form laryngeal prominence (Adams apple)
Name the suprahyoid muscles
Suprahyoid muscles are attached to the hyoid bone and extend superiorly to the hyoid bone. They include: - digastric - stylohyoid - mylohyoid - geniohyoid
What is the epiglottis, and what is its function?
Epiglottis is a leaf shaped cartilage, attached to the posterior tongue. It covers the laryngeal opening during swallowing
What is the vocal ligament?
Vocal ligaments form the inner structure of the vocal cords. They stretch between the inner surfaces of the Arytenoid and the midline of the thyroid cartilages
