11.1 The larynx

Question 1

What are the functions of the larynx?

Answer 1

Maintain respiration
Produce phonation
Protect trachea
Produce cough reflex

Question 2

Where is the supraglottis?

Answer 2

Inferior surface of epiglottis to the false vocal cords

Question 3

Where is the glottis?

Answer 3

Vocal cords and 1cm inferiorly

Question 4

Where is the subglottis?

Answer 4

1cm inferior of vocal cords to lower border of cricoid cartilage

Question 5

What is the piriform fossa?

Answer 5

Natural funnel formed by the epiglottis

Question 6

What is the epiglottis?

Answer 6

Leaf-shaped plate of elastic fibrocartilage which is attached to the posterior thyroid cartilage

Question 7

What is the vallecula?

Answer 7

Depression between tongue base and epiglottis

Question 8

Describe the thyroid cartilage

Answer 8

Anterior laryngeal prominence (Adam’s Apple)

Comprised of the superior and inferior thyroid horns

Question 9

What shape is the cricoid cartilage?

Answer 9

Signet ring

Question 10

What is the cricoid cartilage?

Answer 10

Most inferior cartilage in larynx

Completely encircles airway with 2 articulating facets on each side for the thyroid and arytenoid cartilage

Question 11

What shape is the arytenoid cartilage?

Answer 11

Pyramid shape

Question 12

What is the arytenoid cartilage involved in?

Answer 12

Vocal cord movement

Question 13

At what vertebral level is the superior border of the thyroid cartilage?

Answer 13

C4

Question 14

At what vertebral level is the cricoid cartilage found?

Answer 14

C6

Question 15

What are the vocal cords?

Answer 15

Muscles and ligaments which vibrate to resonate and make sound

Question 16

What eithelium covers the vocal cords?

Answer 16

Stratified squamous epithelia

Question 17

How are the vocal cords placed when breathing?

Answer 17

Open

Question 18

How are the vocal cords placed when eating?

Answer 18

Closed

Question 19

How are the vocal cords placed when speaking?

Answer 19

Partially open

Question 20

What is the function of the cricothyroid muscle?

Answer 20

Stretches and tenses vocal cords

Question 21

What is the function of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle?

Answer 21

Abducts vocal fold

Question 22

What is the function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?

Answer 22

Adducts vocal fold

Question 23

What is the function of the thyroarytenoid muscle?

Answer 23

Relaxes vocal fold

Question 24

What is the function of the transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles?

Answer 24

Close intercartilaginous portion of rima glottidis

Question 25

What is the function of the vocalis muscle?

Answer 25

Relaxes posterior vocal ligament

Question 26

What nerve supplies the cricothyroid muscle?

Answer 26

External laryngeal nerve

Question 27

What 2 arteries supply the larynx?

Answer 27

Superior laryngeal artery | Inferior laryngeal artery

Question 28

What 2 veins drain the larynx?

Answer 28

Superior laryngeal vein | Inferior laryngeal vein

Question 29

What symptoms will be experienced with unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy?

Answer 29

Hoarse voice | Short of breath

Question 30

What symptoms will be experienced with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy?

Answer 30

Aphonia Very short of breath CVS problems Respiratory systems

Question 31

What is the most common type of cancer found in the larynx?

Answer 31

Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 32

What is epiglottitis?

Answer 32

Inflammation of the epiglottis

Question 33

What is trachea-bronchitis?

Answer 33

Inflammation of the trachea and bronchi

Question 34

What is laryngomalacia?

Answer 34

Soft immature upper larynx cartilage in infants collapses inward and causes airway obstruction