The Larynx

what structure is a musculoligamentous structure, has a cartilagnous framework, and caps the lower respiratory tract?

larynx

what are the functions of the larynx?

1. air passageway to the lungs

2. assistance in voice production

3. valve

- prevent foreign substances from entering the lungs

- regulates thoracic pressure

the larynx has three large unpaired cartilages and three smaller cartilages. name them.

unpaired cartilages

1. thyroid

2. cricoid

3. epiglottis

Smaller cartilages

1. arytenoid

2. corniculate

3.cuneiform

*also has fibro-elastic membrane, ligaments and intrinsic muscles

what structure is the largest of the laryngeal cartilages and has a "shield-like" shape, and a laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple)?

Thyroid cartilage

**has two laminas (right and left), oblique line

The thyroid cartilage has a posterior margin that forms _______ and _______ horns.

superior, inferior

the superior horn of the thyroid cartilage is connected to which bone?

hyoid bone

*lateral thyrohyoid ligament

the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage forms a facet to articulate with _________.

cricoid cartilage

what structure is the most inferior of the laryngeal cartilages, encircles the airway, and is a "ring-like" shape?

cricoid cartilage

the posterior surces of the cricoid cartilage has 3 distinct structures. what are they?

1. oval depressions (attachment of the posterior crico-arytenoid muscles)

2. vertical ridge (attachment of esophagus)

3. facets

what structure is a leaf-shaped cartilage that is attached to the thyroid cartilage?

epiglottis

upper margin is behind the pharyngeal part of the tongue

what is the inferior half of the posterior surface called on the epiglottis?

epiglottic tubercle

the arytenoid cartilages are what shaped cartilages?

pyramid-shaped

name the components of the arytenoid cartilages.

1. concave BASE that articulates with cricoid cartilage

2. APEX that articulates with corniculate cartilage

3.MEDIAL surface

4. ANTEROLATERAL surface (depressions, attachment of muscles/ligaments)

what cartilage has a small conical cartilages, bases articulate with apices of arytenoid cartilage, and apices project toward each other?

corniculate cartilage

cuneiform cartilages are smaller cartilages that are ______shaped.

club-shaped

what cartilage is suspended in the membrane of the larynx that attaches the arytenoid cartilages and the lateral margin of the epiglottis?

cuneiform cartilages

*also anterior to corniculate cartilages

name the extrinsic ligaments of the larynx

1. thyrohyoid membrane

2. cricotracheal ligament

3. hyo-epiglottic ligament

name the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx

1. cricothyroid ligament

2. vocal ligament

3. quadrangular membrane

what structure is the vocal apparatus of the larynx?

glottis

what is the rima glottidis?

space between the vocal ligaments

lined with mucous membrane

name the components of the vocal cord (folds) that are part of the glottis.

1. vocal ligament

2. mucous membrane

3. vocalis muscle

4. thyroarytenoid muscle

the shape of the rima is influenced by what?

movement of the arytenoid cartilage

name the intrinsic muscles of the larynx.

1. cricothyroid muscles

2. posterior cricothryoid muscles

3. lateral cricoarytenoid muscles

4. transverse arytenoid muscles

5. oblique arytenoid muscles

6. thryoarytenoid muscles

7. vocalis muscles

what is the function of the CTM?

rotate cricoid cartilage up

vocal cords are tensed

raise the pitch of voice

what is the function of the PCM?

abduction of the vocal cords

opening movement of the rima

loss of function is life-threatening

what is the function of LCAM?

adduct the vocal cords

which muscle extends into the aryepiglottic fold?

OAM

what are the innervations of the larynx?

1. external branch superior laryngeal nerve

2. internal branch superior laryngeal nerve

3. recurrent laryngeal nerve

what nerve is the motor innervation to cricothyroid muscle?

external laryngeal nerve

what nerve is the sensory innervation to mucosa above the glottis?

internal laryngeal nerve

What nerve provides sensory innervation to mucosa below the glottis and motor innervation to intrinsic muscles of the larynx?

recurrent laryngeal nerve

what are the blood supplies of the larynx?

superior and inferior laryngeal artery

what are the veins for the larynx?

superior and inferior laryngeal vein

what is the narrowest constriction of the airway

rima