larynx
Flashcard 1
Q: What is the larynx?
A: The larynx is the connection between the pharynx and the trachea.
Flashcard 2
Q: What are the functions of the larynx?
A:
Prevents foreign bodies from entering the airways.
Designed for the production of sound (phonation).
Is mobile during deglutition (swallowing).
Flashcard 3
Q: Where is the larynx located?
A: The larynx is located in the midline, opposite the 3rd to the 6th cervical vertebrae (C3 to C6).
Flashcard 4
Q: How does the size of the larynx differ among individuals?
A:
It is shorter in women and children.
Prepubescent larynx is similar in size in both females and males.
After puberty, the larynx enlarges significantly in males.
Flashcard 5
Q: How many cartilages form the larynx?
A: The larynx is formed by 9 cartilages: 3 paired and 3 unpaired.
Flashcard 6
Q: What is the vallecula?
A: The vallecula is a depression in the mucosa between the pharyngeal portion of the tongue and the anterior border of the epiglottis.
Flashcard 7
Q: What type of epithelium primarily lines the larynx?
A: The laryngeal epithelium is primarily pseudostratified columnar with cilia, except in certain regions.
Flashcard 8
Q: What areas of the larynx have stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium?
A:
Anterior surface along the epiglottis
True vocal cords
Flashcard 9
Q: What are the regions of the larynx?
A:
Vestibule (supraglottic) – from the laryngeal inlet to the vestibular folds.
Ventricle – from the vestibular fold to the vocal fold.
Infraglottic (subglottic) – from the vocal folds to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage.
Flashcard 10
Q: What are the anatomical relations of the larynx?
A:
Anterolateral: Infrahyoid muscles, platysma.
Lateral: Lobes of the thyroid gland, carotid sheath.
Posterior: Forms the anterior wall of the laryngopharynx.
Superior: Base of tongue and vallecula.
Inferior: Trachea.
Here’s the cartilage information formatted into flashcards:
Flashcard 1
Q: What is the largest laryngeal cartilage?
A: Thyroid cartilage
Flashcard 2
Q: What type of cartilage is the thyroid cartilage?
A: Hyaline cartilage
Flashcard 3
Q: Is the thyroid cartilage paired or unpaired?
A: Unpaired
Flashcard 4
Q: How does the thyroid cartilage connect to the hyoid bone?
A: Via the thyrohyoid membrane, which allows the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels to pass through.
Flashcard 5
Q: At which vertebral levels does the thyroid cartilage lie?
A: C4 to C6
Flashcard 6
Q: What is the only complete ring of cartilage in the respiratory system?
A: Cricoid cartilage
Flashcard 7
Q: What shape is the cricoid cartilage?
A: Signet-shaped
Flashcard 8
Q: What type of muscles attach to the cricoid cartilage?
A: Both intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal muscles
Flashcard 9
Q: At which vertebral level does the cricoid cartilage lie?
A: C6
Flashcard 10
Q: What type of cartilage makes up the arytenoid cartilage?
A:
Hyaline (majority)
Elastic (apex and small portion of vocal process)
Flashcard 11
Q: Is the arytenoid cartilage paired or unpaired?
A: Paired
Flashcard 12
Q: What structure does the arytenoid cartilage help form?
A: Framework of the true vocal cords
Flashcard 13
Q: What type of cartilage is the epiglottis?
A: Elastic cartilage
Flashcard 14
Q: Is the epiglottis paired or unpaired?
A: Unpaired
Flashcard 15
Q: What is the function of the epiglottis?
A: Helps prevent foreign bodies from entering the larynx
Flashcard 16
Q: Are the corniculate cartilages paired or unpaired?
A: Paired
Flashcard 17
Q: Where are the corniculate cartilages located?
A: In the aryepiglottic fold
Flashcard 18
Q: Are the cuneiform cartilages paired or unpaired?
A: Paired
Here are the flashcards based on the anatomic features of the larynx:
Flashcard 1
Q: What are the 2 lateral laminae of the larynx?
A: Two plates that meet at an acute angle in the anterior midline.
Flashcard 2
Q: What is another name for the laryngeal prominence?
A: Adam’s apple
Flashcard 3
Q: How is the laryngeal prominence formed?
A: By the fusion of the 2 lateral laminae.
Flashcard 4
Q: How does the laryngeal prominence angle differ between males and females?
A:
Males: 90-degree angle (more acute)
Females: 120-degree angle (less acute)
Flashcard 5
Q: Is the laryngeal prominence larger in males or females?
A: Larger in males.
Flashcard 6
Q: What is the thyroid notch?
A: The superior portion of the laryngeal prominence, forming a V shape.
Flashcard 7
Q: Where is the superior tubercle located?
A: At the superior border of the oblique line.
Flashcard 8
Q: What is the function of the oblique line?
A: Serves as an attachment for the following extrinsic muscles of the larynx:
Sternothyroid
Thyrohyoid
Inferior constrictor
Flashcard 9
Q: Where is the inferior tubercle located?
A: At the inferior border of the oblique line.
Flashcard 10
Q: What is the function of the superior horn of the thyroid cartilage?
A: Provides the lateralmost attachment for the thyrohyoid membrane.
Flashcard 11
Q: What is the function of the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage?
A: Articulates with the cricoid cartilage to form the cricothyroid joint.
Here are the flashcards based on the cricoid cartilage:
Flashcard 1
Q: What is the height of the cricoid cartilage arch (anteriorly)?
A: 6 mm (narrow).
Flashcard 2
Q: Which muscle attaches to the arch of the cricoid cartilage?
A: Cricothyroid muscle.
Flashcard 3
Q: Which muscle attaches posterior to the cricothyroid muscle on the cricoid arch?
A: Inferior portion of the inferior constrictor muscle (cricopharyngeus).
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the height of the cricoid cartilage lamina (posteriorly)?
A: 2 to 3 cm.
Flashcard 5
Q: Which muscle attaches to the lamina of the cricoid cartilage?
A: Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.
Flashcard 6
Q: What does the superior border of the lamina articulate with?
A: Arytenoid cartilage (to form the cricoarytenoid joint).
Flashcard 7
Q: What does the inferior border of the lamina articulate with?
A: Inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage (to form the cricothyroid joint).
Here are the flashcards based on the arytenoid cartilage:
Flashcard 1
Q: How many arytenoid cartilages are there?
A: Paired (two total).
Flashcard 2
Q: What are the three surfaces of each arytenoid cartilage?
A:
Anterolateral
Posterior
Medial
Flashcard 3
Q: What are the two main parts of the arytenoid cartilage?
A:
Apex
Base
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the apex of the arytenoid cartilage?
A: The superior extension of the arytenoid cartilage.
Flashcard 5
Q: Which cartilage articulates with the apex of the arytenoid cartilage?
A: Corniculate cartilage.
Flashcard 6
Q: What type of cartilage is the apex composed of?
A: Elastic cartilage.
Flashcard 7
Q: What is the base of the arytenoid cartilage?
A: The larger, broad surface that articulates with the cricoid cartilage.
Flashcard 8
Q: What are the two processes of the base of the arytenoid cartilage?
A:
Muscular process (lateral process): Extends laterally and provides muscular attachment.
Vocal process (anterior process): Extends anteriorly and gives rise to the true vocal cord.
Flashcard 9
Q: What type of cartilage is the base composed of?
A: Hyaline cartilage, except for a small portion of the vocal process.
Flashcard 10
Q: What joint is formed by the articulation between the base of the arytenoid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage?
A: Cricoarytenoid joint.
Flashcard 11
Q: What is a potential complication involving the arytenoid cartilage?
A: The arytenoid cartilage can dislocate between the base and cricoid cartilage due to instrumentation of the airway.
Here are the flashcards based on the epiglottic tubercle and epiglottis:
Flashcard 1
Q: What is the shape of the epiglottic tubercle?
A: Pear-shaped.
Flashcard 2
Q: How is the epiglottis connected to the thyroid cartilage?
A: By the thyroepiglottic ligament.
Flashcard 3
Q: How is the epiglottis connected to the hyoid bone?
A: By the hyoepiglottic ligament.
Flashcard 4
Q: What happens to the epiglottis during deglutition (swallowing)?
A: As the hyoid bone and larynx elevate, the epiglottis moves posteriorly, diverting food and liquid away from the laryngeal inlet.
Flashcard 5
Q: What type of epithelium covers the anterior surface of the epiglottis?
A: Stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium.
Flashcard 6
Q: What type of epithelium covers the posterior surface of the epiglottis?
A: Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia.
Here are the flashcards based on the corniculate, cuneiform, and triticeal cartilages:
Flashcard 1
Q: Where is the corniculate cartilage located?
A: It lies on the apex of the arytenoid cartilage.
Flashcard 2
Q: What is the function of the corniculate cartilage?
A: It helps support the aryepiglottic fold.
Flashcard 3
Q: Where is the cuneiform cartilage located?
A: It lies superior to the corniculate cartilage.
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the function of the cuneiform cartilage?
A: It helps support the aryepiglottic fold.
Flashcard 5
Q: Where is the triticeal cartilage located?
A: It is a small piece of elastic cartilage that lies in the posterior border of the thyrohyoid membrane.
Here are the flashcards based on the corniculate, cuneiform, and triticeal cartilages:
Flashcard 1
Q: Where is the corniculate cartilage located?
A: It lies on the apex of the arytenoid cartilage.
Flashcard 2
Q: What is the function of the corniculate cartilage?
A: It helps support the aryepiglottic fold.
Flashcard 3
Q: Where is the cuneiform cartilage located?
A: It lies superior to the corniculate cartilage.
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the function of the cuneiform cartilage?
A: It helps support the aryepiglottic fold.
Flashcard 5
Q: Where is the triticeal cartilage located?
A: It is a small piece of elastic cartilage that lies in the posterior border of the thyrohyoid membrane.
Here are the flashcards based on the cricothyroid joint and cricoarytenoid joint:
Flashcard 1
Q: Where is the cricothyroid joint located?
A: Between the inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage and the inferior border of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage.
Flashcard 2
Q: What type of joint is the cricothyroid joint?
A: Synovial joint.
Flashcard 3
Q: What movement does the cricothyroid joint allow?
A: Rotation between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages.
Flashcard 4
Q: Where is the cricoarytenoid joint located?
A: Between the superior border of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage and the base of the arytenoid cartilage.
Flashcard 5
Q: What type of joint is the cricoarytenoid joint?
A: Synovial joint.
Flashcard 6
Q: What are the two movements that occur in the cricoarytenoid joint?
A:
Rotation
Gliding
Flashcard 7
Q: What happens when medial rotation and medial gliding occur in the cricoarytenoid joint?
A: It closes the rima glottidis.
Flashcard 8
Q: What happens when lateral rotation and lateral gliding occur in the cricoarytenoid joint?
A: It opens the rima glottidis.
Here are the flashcards based on the major extrinsic membranes and ligaments:
Flashcard 1
Q: Where does the thyrohyoid membrane extend from?
A: From the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone.
Flashcard 2
Q: What does the thyrohyoid membrane allow passage of?
A: The internal laryngeal nerve, superior laryngeal artery, and superior laryngeal vein.
Flashcard 3
Q: Where does the thyroepiglottic ligament extend from?
A: From the thyroid cartilage to the epiglottis.
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the function of the thyroepiglottic ligament?
A: It holds the epiglottis to the thyroid cartilage.
Flashcard 5
Q: Where does the hyoepiglottic ligament extend from?
A: From the hyoid bone to the epiglottis.
Flashcard 6
Q: What is the function of the hyoepiglottic ligament?
A: It holds the epiglottis to the hyoid bone.
Flashcard 7
Q: Where does the cricotracheal ligament extend from?
A: From the cricoid cartilage to the trachea.
Flashcard 8
Q: What is the function of the cricotracheal ligament?
A: It attaches the cricoid cartilage to the first tracheal ring.
Flashcard 9
Q: Can the cricotracheal ligament be used for anything in an emergency?
A: Yes, it may be used in establishing an emergency airway.
Here are the flashcards based on the major intrinsic membranes and ligaments:
Flashcard 1
Q: Where does the vocal ligament extend from?
A: From the arytenoid (vocal process) to the thyroid cartilage.
Flashcard 2
Q: What does the vocal ligament help form?
A: The true vocal cord.
Flashcard 3
Q: What is another name for the conus elasticus?
A: Also known as the cricovocal membrane or cricothyroid membrane.
Flashcard 4
Q: Where does the lateral part of the conus elasticus extend?
A:
Superiorly: Thyroid, vocal ligament, arytenoid (vocal process).
Inferiorly: Upper border of cricoid.
The lateral part is bilateral.
Flashcard 5
Q: What does the lateral part of the conus elasticus help form?
A: The true vocal cord.
Flashcard 6
Q: Where does the medial part of the conus elasticus (also called the median cricothyroid ligament) extend from?
A: From the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage.
Flashcard 7
Q: What is the primary site for establishing an emergency airway?
A: The medial part of the conus elasticus (median cricothyroid ligament).
Flashcard 8
Q: Where does the quadrangular membrane extend from?
A: From the arytenoid to the epiglottis.
Flashcard 9
Q: What does the quadrangular membrane help form?
A: The false vocal cord.
Flashcard 10
Q: Where is the vestibular ligament located?
A: On the free edge of the inferior border of the quadrangular membrane.
Here are the flashcards based on the muscles of the larynx:
Flashcard 1
Q: Where does the cricothyroid muscle originate from?
A: The arch of the cricoid.
Flashcard 2
Q: Where does the cricothyroid muscle insert?
A: The lamina and inferior cornu of the thyroid.
Flashcard 3
Q: What is the action of the cricothyroid muscle?
A: It increases (lengthens) tension on the vocal ligaments.
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the nerve supply for the cricothyroid muscle?
A: The external laryngeal nerve.
Flashcard 5
Q: Where does the thyroarytenoid muscle originate from?
A: The angle of the thyroid cartilage.
Flashcard 6
Q: Where does the thyroarytenoid muscle insert?
A: The arytenoid (vocal process).
Flashcard 7
Q: What is the action of the thyroarytenoid muscle?
A: It decreases (relaxes) tension on the vocal ligaments.
Flashcard 8
Q: What is the nerve supply for the thyroarytenoid muscle?
A: The recurrent laryngeal nerve (for Vocalis: inferior fibers of the thyroarytenoid).
Flashcard 9
Q: What is the action of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?
A: It opens the rima glottidis.
Flashcard 10
Q: Where does the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle originate from?
A: The lamina of the cricoid.
Flashcard 11
Q: Where does the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle insert?
A: The arytenoid (muscular process).
Flashcard 12
Q: Where does the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle originate from?
A: The arch of the cricoid (lateral portion).
Flashcard 13
Q: What is the action of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
A: It closes the rima glottidis.
Flashcard 14
Q: Where does the transverse arytenoid muscle insert?
A: Opposite arytenoid (muscular process).
Flashcard 15
Q: Where does the oblique arytenoid muscle insert?
A: Opposite arytenoid (apex).
Flashcard 16
Q: What is the function of the aryepiglotticus muscle?
A: It helps close the laryngopharyngeal opening.
Flashcard 17
Q: Where does the thyroepiglotticus muscle insert?
A: The epiglottis.
Here are the flashcards based on the summary of muscle actions:
Flashcard 1
Q: Which muscle opens the rima glottidis?
A: Posterior cricoarytenoid.
Flashcard 2
Q: Which muscle increases tension on the vocal cords?
A: Cricothyroid.
Flashcard 3
Q: Which muscles close the rima glottidis?
A:
Transverse arytenoids
Oblique arytenoids
Lateral cricoarytenoid
Flashcard 4
Q: Which muscle decreases tension on the vocal cords?
A: Thyroarytenoid.
Here are the flashcards based on the arteries of the larynx:
Flashcard 1
Q: What is the source of the superior laryngeal artery?
A: The superior thyroid artery, which arises from the external carotid artery.
Flashcard 2
Q: Where does the superior laryngeal artery course?
A: It passes through the thyrohyoid membrane with the internal laryngeal nerve to enter the deep surface of the larynx.
Flashcard 3
Q: What is the source of the inferior laryngeal artery?
A: The inferior thyroid artery, which arises from the thyrocervical trunk.
Flashcard 4
Q: Where does the inferior laryngeal artery course?
A: It passes superiorly on the trachea to reach the posterior border of the larynx, lying immediately deep to the inferior constrictor muscle, traveling beside the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Here are the flashcards based on the nerves innervating the larynx:
Flashcard 1
Q: What type of nerve is the external laryngeal nerve?
A: Motor.
Flashcard 2
Q: What does the external laryngeal nerve innervate?
A: The cricothyroid muscle.
Flashcard 3
Q: What is the source of the external laryngeal nerve?
A: A branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, which arises from the vagus nerve.
Flashcard 4
Q: What type of nerve is the internal laryngeal nerve?
A: Sensory.
Flashcard 5
Q: What does the internal laryngeal nerve innervate?
A: The mucosa above the vocal folds.
Flashcard 6
Q: What is the source of the internal laryngeal nerve?
A: A branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, which arises from the vagus nerve.
Flashcard 7
Q: What is the function of the internal laryngeal nerve?
A: It carries afferent fibers responsible for the cough reflex.
Flashcard 8
Q: What type of nerve is the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
A: Both sensory and motor.
Flashcard 9
Q: What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve innervate?
A: The mucosa below the vocal folds and the following muscles:
Thyroarytenoid
Posterior cricoarytenoid
Lateral cricoarytenoid
Transverse arytenoid
Oblique arytenoid
Aryepiglotticus
Thyroepiglotticus
Flashcard 10
Q: What is the source of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
A: A branch of the vagus nerve.
Flashcard 11
Q: Where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve travel on the left side?
A: It wraps around the aorta posterior to the ligamentum arteriosum.
Flashcard 12
Q: Where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve travel on the right side?
A: It wraps around the right subclavian artery.
Flashcard 13
Q: How does the recurrent laryngeal nerve course after wrapping around the arteries?
A: It ascends on the lateral aspect of the trachea until reaching the pharynx, where it passes deep to the inferior constrictor to reach the larynx.
Here are the flashcards based on the cricothyrotomy procedure:
Flashcard 1
Q: What is a cricothyrotomy?
A: A procedure for establishing an emergency airway when other methods are unsuitable.
Flashcard 2
Q: What are the two incisions made during a cricothyrotomy?
A:
Incision through the skin
Incision through the cricothyroid membrane
Flashcard 3
Q: How is the correct location for the incision identified in a cricothyrotomy?
A: By identifying the thyroid notch on the thyroid cartilage.
Flashcard 4
Q: How is the groove between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages located during the procedure?
A: By sliding the examining finger in an inferior direction.
Flashcard 5
Q: What is the size of the vertical incision made through the skin during a cricothyrotomy?
A: A 3-cm vertical incision is made.
Flashcard 6
Q: What is done after the incision through the skin in a cricothyrotomy?
A: The thyrohyoid membrane is located, and a small midline incision is made.
Flashcard 7
Q: What is inserted to establish an airway during a cricothyrotomy?
A: A tracheostomy tube is inserted.
Here are the flashcards based on the vagus nerve and related lesions:
Flashcard 1
Q: What does the vagus nerve provide to the larynx?
A: The vagus nerve provides all motor and sensory innervation to the larynx.
Flashcard 2
Q: What are the two branches of the superior laryngeal nerve?
A:
Internal laryngeal nerve (sensory)
External laryngeal nerve (motor to the cricothyroid)
Flashcard 3
Q: What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve innervate?
A: It provides sensory and motor innervation to the remainder of the laryngeal muscles.
Flashcard 4
Q: What happens if the recurrent laryngeal nerve is damaged?
A: Lesions result in paralysis of the ipsilateral vocal fold, leading to hoarseness and an ineffective cough.
Flashcard 5
Q: What are some common causes of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
A:
Thyroid tumors
Neck tumors
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
Lung tumors
Surgery
Thyroiditis
Flashcard 6
Q: In which diseases may the voice be affected, even without nerve damage?
A:
Parkinson's disease
Myasthenia gravis