Larynx

SLP 5325

What are the three parts of the pharynx?

1. nasopharynx

2. oropharynx

3. hypopharynx

What are the two unpaired cartilages of the larynx?

thyroid and cricoid cartilage

What is the other name for corniculate cartilages?

cartilages of Santorini

What is another name for the cuneiform cartilages?

cartilages of Wrisberg

Is the hyoid technically part of the larynx?

no

Which bone suspends the larynx and supports the tongue base?

hyoid bone

Over how many muscles originate or insert into the hyoid bone?

30

The hyoid bone is level with which bone?

3rd cervical vertebra

What type of connective tissue is non-vascular (not many blood vessels), resilient, and flexible, and acts as a system of springs?

hyaline cartilage

Which type of collagen has white fibrous protein?

Type II collagen

Which cartilage has two rectangular plates/laminae that form the anterior and lateral walls of larynx?

thyroid cartilage

What is the juncture in the thyroid cartilage?

thyroid notch and thyroid prominence

What is the angle of the thyroid prominence in males?

90 degrees

What is the angle of the thyroid prominence in females?

120 degrees

Where is the primary anterior attachment point for VFs?

thyroid cartilage

What is the largest cartilage in body?

thyroid cartilage

When does the thyroid cartilage begin to ossify?

age 25

What are the two upper processes/horns of the thyroid cartilage called?

superior cornu

What are the two lower processes/horns of the thyroid cartilage called?

inferior cornu

The outside surface (oblique line) of the thyroid cartilage provides attachment for which muscles?

a. sternothyroid

b. thyrohyoid

Which way does the thyroid cartilage move?

up and down

What is the second largest laryngeal cartilage?

cricoid cartilage

What is the thick, posterior part of the cricoid cartilage called?

quadrate lamina

What is the thin, anterior part of the cricoid cartilage called?

arch

What facets join arytenoids to cricoid cartilages?

cricoarytenoid facets

Where do the thyroid and cricoid cartilages join?

cricothyroid articular facets

What is the purpose of arytenoid cartilages?

biological and phonatory valving (open and close VFs)

What cartilage has a tetrahedral (4-sided) shape, including apex and base?

arytenoid cartilages

Where on the arytenoid cartilage do the cricoarytenoid muscles attach?

muscular process (posterior)

Where on the arytenoid cartilage do the VF muscles attach?

vocal process (anterior)

How long does adduction/abduction take?

0.1 second

How does the arytenoid cartilage move?

forward, backward, side to side

Which small, paired elastic fibrocartilages have an uncertain function?

corniculate cartilages

Which cartilages are also part of aryepiglottic fold?

corniculate cartilages

Is the epiglottis concave or convex?

concave

What part of the epiglottis attaches to anterior surface of thyroid cartilage?

petiole (long stalk)

Which ligament attaches the hyoid bone to the superior epiglottis?

hyoepiglottic ligament

Which ligament inferiorly attaches epiglottis to thyroid cartilage?

thyroepiglottic ligament

What is the area between base of tongue and anterior surface of epiglottis?

valleculae

What are some functions of the epiglottis?

1. important (not essential) to swallow

2. closes off airway during swallow

3. very little function in speech/voicing (may assist with resonance)

What are small, paired, elongated, rod-like elastic fibrocartilage with uncertain function?

cuneiform cartilages

Where are cuneiform cartilages located?

“floating” in front of corniculate cartilages and in aryepiglottic folds

What forms the wall of the inner tube of the pharynx?

1. epiglottis

2. aryepiglottic fold (cuneiform, corniculate, arytenoids)

3. posterior glottis

What forms the outer tube of pharynx?

pharyngeal walls + base of tongue

(valleculae + pyriform sinuses)

What ligament separates the valleculae?

glosso-epiglottic ligament

Which ligaments connect hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage?

medial and lateral thyrohyoid ligaments

Which ligaments connect thyroid and cricoid cartilages?

medial and lateral cricothyroid ligament

What fibrous mesh holds together everything above the VFs?

quadrangular membrane

Which fibrous mesh holds together everything below the VFs?

conus elasticus

In addition to the true VFs, what are there?

ventricular/vestibular ligaments