Exam 3 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing

Study Guide Flashcards

Laryngeal Cartilages

The larynx contains three unpaired cartilages (thyroid, cricoid, epiglottis) and three paired cartilages (arytenoid, corniculate, cuneiform).

Thyroid

largest laryngeal cartilage, forms Adam’s apple and protects vocal folds.

Cricoid

ring shaped; it sits below the thyroid and supports arytenoids.

Epiglottis

leaf-shaped; covers larynx during swallowing.

Arytenoids

pyramid-shaped; anchor vocal folds; allow movement.

Corniculate & Cuneiform

small cartilages that support aryepiglottic folds.

What are the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

Lateral cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, interarytenoids.

What are the functions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

Control vocal fold position and tension.

What are the innervations of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles.

All are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of CN X) except cricothyroid, which is innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

What is the movement of the vocal folds during quiet breathing?

Vocal folds are slightly open.

What is the movement of the vocal folds during deep inhalation?

they abduct (wide open).

What is the movement of the vocal folds during phonation?

they adduct (close together) to vibrate.

What are the anatomical structures of the oral cavity?

lips, cheeks, hard and soft palate, teeth, tongue, and floor of the mouth.

How are the anatomical structures of the oral cavity bound?

Bounded by the lips anteriorly and oropharynx posteriorly.

What is the function of intrinsic muscles? (superior/inferior longitudinal, transverse, vertical)

Shape the tongue.

What is the function of extrinsic tongue muscles? (genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, palatoglossus)

Move the tongue in and out, up/down, side to side.

Which mandibular muscles elevate the mandible?

masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid.

Which mandibular muscles depress the mandible?

digastric, geniohyoid, mylohyoid, lateral pterygoid.

Which parts of our ears are air-filled?

Outer and Middle ear.

Which part of our ear is fluid-filled?

Inner ear (perilymph and endolymph).

Auditory canal (external acoustic meatus):

S-shaped; leads to tympanic membrane.

Auditory Tube (Eustachian tube):

slopes downward from middle ear to nasopharynx; equalizes pressure.

Oral phase of swallowing:

voluntary; bolus formed and pushed to oropharynx.

Pharyngeal phase of swallowing:

involuntary; bolus moves through pharynx; airway protected.

Esophageal phase of swallowing:

involuntary; bolus moves to stomach via peristalsis.

The hypopharynx is also called the:

laryngopharynx.

Where is the hypopharynx in terms of the pharynx?

It is the inferior portion of the pharynx and sits behind and adjacent to the larynx.

What is the important function of the hypopharynx?

It serves as a shared pathway for food and air and plays a key role in swallowing by directing food into the esophagus while protecting the airway.

Describe the location of the hypopharynx.

It extends from the hyoid bone (superiorly) to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage where it becomes continuous with the esophagus.

Piriform Sinuses (Recesses)

• Paired recesses located on either side of the laryngeal inlet.

• Channel swallowed material around the larynx toward the esophagus.

• Common site for food trapping and pathology like cancer.

Postcricoid Area

• Region immediately posterior to the cricoid cartilage and anterior to the cervical spine.

• Extends from the level of the arytenoid cartilages down to the upper esophageal sphincter.

• Important in swallowing function and frequently examined in dysphagia assessments.

Posterior Pharyngeal Wall

• The back wall of the hypopharynx

• Composed of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles and mucosa.

• Helps propel the bolus downward during swallowing.

What do the structures of the Hypopharynx help with?

1. Help guide the bolus passage from the oral cavity to the esophagus.

2. Protect the airway during swallowing by diverting food away from the larynx.

3. Work in coordination with the larynx, epiglottis and upper esophageal sphincter.