Upper Airways and Larynx Flashcards
The mucosa of the _________ sits on top of the muscle, allowing vibration.
vocal folds
What three things are needed for vocal production?
Airflow (diaphragm, lungs, bronchi, trachea)
Vibration (vocal folds)
Resonance area (supraglottic)
The _______ is the only solid ring in the airway.
cricoid
The _________ is the only muscle that opens the vocal folds.
posterior cricoarytenoid
Over the life cycle, the larynx _______, going from ________ to ________.
descends; C3; C7
What is dysarthria?
Defect in rhythm, enunciation, or articulation
What is dysphonia?
General defect in voice quality
Describe the different types of stridor and what they signify?
Inspiratory: supraglottic
Expiratory: tracheal/large bronchi
Biphasic: laryngeal
What can cause biphasic stridor?
Intubation that scars the cricoid ring
What can cause hoarseness?
Viral laryngitis Reflux Vocal abuse Post-nasal drip Chronic cough
Describe the pathophysiology of Reinke’s edema.
Excessive superficial lamina propria leads to abnormal vibration.
What can radiation therapy do to the larynx?
It destroys the mucosa, so thick mucus develops
Leukoplakia is ____________.
a white plaque that is either a callous or dysplastic growth
The tracheal cilia push debris to the ______ side of the supraglottis, thus more infectious diseases are likely to manifest there.
posterior
The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all of the internal laryngeal muscles except the _______.
cricothyroid
