Week 2: Anatomy and Physiology of Voice

The larynx supports what 3 basic functions?

1. airway opening for breathing

2. airway protection

3. vocal fold vibration (phonation)

What are the 3 folds in the larynx?

1. aryepiglottic folds

2. ventricular (false) folds

3. true folds

What are the 3 unpaired cartilages in the larynx?

1. thyroid cartilage

2. cricoid cartilage

3. epiglottis

What are the 3 paired cartilages in the larynx?

1. arytenoids

2. corniculates

3. cuneiforms

What is the 3-layer scheme of the vocal folds?

cover, transition, body

What tissues of the vocal folds are in the COVER?

epithelium and superficial layer of laminate propria

What tissues of the vocal folds are in the TRANSITION?

intermediate layer of laminate propria and deep layer of laminate propria

What tissues of the vocal folds are in the BODY?

vocalis muscle

The ________ nerve innervates the larynx via 2 branches: the __________ and _________ laryngeal nerves which contain all sensory and motor fibers that supply the larynx.

vagus; recurrent; superior

Historically, the _______ is regarded as the only pair of intrinsic laryngeal muscles that is innervated by the ________ nerve.

cricothyroid; superior laryngeal

What is the rate of vocal fold vibration? How is it measured?

fundamental frequency (F0); cycles per second (Hz)

What is fundamental frequency perceived as?

pitch

What 3 factors influence fundamental frequency?

vocal fold length, mass, and tension

What is the sound pressure level (SPL) of the acoustic output? How is it measured?

vocal intensity; decibels (dB)

What is vocal intensity perceived as?

loudness

What 3 factors influence vocal intensity?

1. size/shape of vocal tract

2. glottal resistance

3. rate of airflow

Where is the hyoid bone?

1

Where is the epiglottis?

2

Where is the thyroid notch?

4

Where is the thyroid membrane?

3

Where is the thyroid cartilage?

5

Where is the cricoid?

7

Where is the cricothyroid space?

6

Where is the tracheal ring?

8

Describe cricothyroid function, length, thickness, edge, and tension

• function = tensor

• length = longer

• thickness = thinner

• edge = sharper

• tension = stiff body + cover

Describe thyroarytenoid function, length, thickness, edge, and tension

• function = adductor

• length = shorter

• thickness = thicker

• edge = rounder

• tension = stiffer body + looser cover

Describe lateral cricoarytenoid function, length, thickness, and edge

• function = adductor

• length = shorter

• thickness = thicker

• edge = rounder

Describe interarytenoid function

function = adductor

Describe posterior cricoarytenoid function

function = abductor

T/F: The posterior cricoarytenoid is the only intrinsic laryngeal muscle that abducts

True