Phonatory System

larynx

the structure that hangs off the hyoid bone and includes the folds, cartilages, muscles, and joints, 2-4 inches long

hyoid

the floating bone that is sort of part of the larynx but is definitely what the larynx hangs off of.

greater cornu (horns)

lesser cornu (horns)

body (corpus)

thyrohyoid membrane

the larynx is suspended from the hyoid bone by this structure

cartilage

a firm, elastic, flexible fibrous type of connective tissue

thyroid

directly attached to the thyroid membrane and to the hyoid bone by ligaments

thyroid laminae

thyroid notch

where the thyroid laminae are fused at an angle

superior cornu

horns that project upward from the thyroid and attach to the hyoid bone by ligaments

inferior cornu

horns that project downward from the thyroid and join with the sides of the cricoid cartilage

cricoid

complete ring at the base of the larynx, narrow at the front, wider in the back

cricoidthyroid membrane

attaches the cricoid to the thyroid

cricotracheal membrane

attaches the cricoid to the trachea

epiglottis

a broad, leaf shaped structure, which folds downward over the entrance of the larynx to prevent food from entering the trachea and direct food to the esophagus

valleculea

the valley between the epiglottis and the tongue

arytenoid

paired cartilages that forms the pyramidal structure on the superior and posterior surface of the cricoid. the vocal process extends out of this structure and is the attachment for the vocal folds

cuneiform cartilages

paired cartilages which are small rods of cartilage that aid in stiffening the aryepiglottic folds

corniculate cartilages

paired cartilages which are like horns or teeth on the top of the pyramid of the arytenoids. Create supraglottic constriction

cricoarytenoid joints

joints involved in adduction and abduction, medially, laterally, anteriorly and posteriorly of the vocal folds

cricothyroid joints

joints involved in lengthening and shortening the vocal folds to change pitch

aryepiglottic folds

the tissue and muscle surrounding the epiglottis, where contracted it pulls the epiglottis posteriorly closing the larynx

false vocal folds

AKA ventricular or vestibular folds. close during swallowing.

vocal folds

layers of tissue and muscle that vibrate to create phonation, attach anteriorly to the thyroid notch

anterior commisure

the location where the vocal fold attach to the thyroid

epithelium

the layer of cells most superficial on the vocal folds

superficial lamina propria

the superficial layer of the three middle layers of the vocal folds

intermediate lamina propria

the middle layer of the three middle layers of the vocal folds

deep lamina propria

the deep layer of the three middle layers of the vocal folds

vocalis

a muscle that is the most deep layer of the lamina propria

glottis

the space between the vocal folds

membranous glottis

the anterior space between the vocal ligament, yellow bit

cartilaginous glottis

the posterior space between the arytenoids, gray bit

laryngeal cavities

supraglottal cavity, subglottal cavity, laryngeal ventricles

supraglottal cavity

the large cavity above the vocal folds

subglottal cavity

the cavity below the vocal folds and above the first tracheal ring

laryngeal ventricles

the small cavity on the lateral sides of the false vocal folds, there are glands here the produce fluid to lubricate the vocal folds

suprahyoids

extrinsic muscles: digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid

digastric

anterior and posterior belly, red lines

stylohyoid

Green lines

mylohyoid

yellow lines

Geniohyoid

black lines

infrahyoids

extrinsic muscles: sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid

sternohyoid

Green lines

omohyoid

purple lines

sternothyroid

yellow lines

thyrohyoid

blue lines

lateral cricoarytenoids

red

posterior cricoarytenoids

purple

transverse interarytenoid

ɡreen

oblique interarytenoids

cricothyroids

thyroarytenoids

thyrovocalis and thyromuscularis

thyrovocalis

ɡreen

thyromuscularis

recurrent laryngeal nerve

lateral cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, transverse interarytenoid, oblique interarytenoid, thyroaryenoid

superior laryngeal nerve

cricothyroid

vocal fold cover

the 4 most superficial layers of the vocal folds

The Transition

layers 3 and 4 of the vocal folds

vocal folds body

the vocalis muscle. Thicker and denser than the other layers with nerve innervation.

myloelastic

muscle elasticity

aerodynamic

changes in air pressure and airflow

phases of VF vibration

closed, opening, open, closing

closed phase

lateral cricoarytenoid muscles and internal arytenoid muscles to close the VF and subglottic pressure builds beneath VF

opening phase

subglottal pressure builds and becomes stronger than the resistance of the closed VF,

closing phase

due to the elasticity of the VF and they recoil back, airflow speeds up to get through the narrow opening and the decrease in pressure pulls VF back together

Bernoulli principle

an aerodynamic law stating that an increase in the velocity of air decreases the air pressure