24 - Larynx Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of the larynx?

A
  • allows passage of air to trachea
  • protective sphincter of airway
  • organ of phonation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Where is the larynx located?

A
  • C3-C6
  • tip of epiglottis to cricoid cartilage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe the openings of the larynx.

A
  • opens superiorly into larygnopharynx via laryngeal inlet
  • opens inferiorly and is continuous with trachea
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the cartilages of the larynx?

A
  • 9 total
  • epiglottis
  • thyroid
  • cricoid
  • arytenoid x2
  • cuneiform x2
  • corniculate x2
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What type of cartilage makes up the larynx?

A
  • all hyaline cartilage
  • except for epiglottis made up of elastic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How does the cricoid cartilage differ from the other cartilage of the larynx?

A

Only complete ring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where is the superior thyroid notch located?

A

Sits superior to the laryngeal prominence, formed by the thyroid cartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the cricothyroid joint.

A
  • synovial joint formed by the articulation of the cricoid and thryoid cartilage
  • allows for gliding and rotation of larynx
  • affect pitch of voice
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the epiglottis.

A
  • leaf shaped elastic cartilage
  • covered in mucosa
  • attached to back of thyroid cartilage by thryo-epiglottic ligament
  • attached to the hyoid bone by hyo-epiglottic ligament
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the function of the epiglottis?

A
  • boundary between larynx and laryngopharynx
  • protects airway from fluids and bolus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the arytenoid cartilage.

A
  • pyramidal shaped hyaline cartilage
  • articulates with corniculate (superiorly) and cricoid cartilage (inferiorly)
  • apex forms site for aryepiglottic fold attachment
  • sits superior to cricoid cartilage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the extrinsic ligaments and membranes of the larynx?

A
  • thyrohyoid membrane
  • median and lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
  • ligaments are formed by thickening of the membrane anteriorly and posteriorly respectively
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What cartilage is found within the lateral thryohyoid ligament?

A

Triticeal cartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the intrinsic ligaments and membrane of the larynx?

A
  • quadrangular membrane
  • cricothyroid ligament (criciovocal membrane)
  • vocal ligament
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the quadrangular membrane.

A
  • extends from arytenoid cartilage to thyroid cartilage to the epiglottis
  • has free inferior margin which forms vestibular ligament
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the cricothyroid ligament.

A
  • membrane extends from cricoid to arytenoid to thyroid cartilage
  • thickens anteriorly to form median cricothryoid ligament
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Describe the vocal ligament.

A
  • superior free edge of cricothryoid ligament
  • forms aryepliglottic fold
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the laryngeal folds?

A
  • mucosa membrane that forms over the free edges of the intrinsic ligaments of the larynx
  • aryepliglottic
  • vestibular
  • vocal
19
Q

Describe the aryepligottic fold.

A
  • forms over the superior free edge of the quadrangular membrane
  • forms the laryngeal inlet
  • protective sphincter of larynx
20
Q

Describe the vestibular folds.

A
  • forms over inferior free edge of quadrangular membrane (vestibular ligament)
  • protective function
21
Q

Describe the vocal folds.

A
  • true vocal cords
  • forms over superior free edge of cricithyroid cartilage (vocal ligament)
22
Q

What is the rima glottidis?

A

Opening/space between vocal cords

23
Q

What are the extrinsic muscles of the larynx?

A
  • infrahyoid muscles
  • suprahyoid muscles
  • stylopharyngeus
24
Q

What is the role of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles?

A

To raise/depress the larynx

25
Q

What are the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

A
  • posterior cricoarytenoid
  • lateral cricoarytenoid
  • transverse arytenoid
  • oblique arytenoid
  • thryoarytenoid
  • cricothryoid
  • vocalis
26
Q

What are the functions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

A
  • open/close rima glottidis
  • alter tension of vocal folds
  • open close laryngeal inlet
27
Q

What muscles act to open/close the rima glottidis?

A
  • abductors/adductors
  • posterior cricotarytenoid abducts vocal folds (opens)
  • transverse arytenoid and lateral cricoarytenoid adduct (closes)
28
Q

Describe the location of the transverse arytenoid.

A

Runs transversely across the arytenoid cartilage

29
Q

Describe the location of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle.

A

Attaches from the lateral aspect of the cricoid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage, running obliquely

30
Q

Describe the location of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

A

Runs from the midline of the posterior aspect of the cricoid cartilage to the lateral aspect of the arytenoid cartilage

31
Q

What muscles act to alter the tension of the vocal folds?

A
  • tensors/relaxers
  • cricothyroid lengthens the vocal folds
  • thyroarytenoid relaxes vocal folds (vocalis is the upper part)
32
Q

What effect does lengthening the vocal folds have on phonation?

A

Increased tension = higher pitch

33
Q

What effect does shortening the vocal folds have on phonation?

A

Reduced tension = lower pitch

34
Q

Describe the location of the thyroarytenoid muscle.

A

Runs transversely from the posterior of the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage

35
Q

Describe the location of the cricothyroid muscle.

A

Straight and oblique part on the anterior aspect of the cricoid cartilage which attach to the thyroid cartilage

36
Q

What muscles act to open/close laryngeal inlet?

A
  • oblique arytenoid muscle, acts a purse string (closure)
  • extrinsic muscles also contribute
  • opening via descent of larynx and elastic recoil
37
Q

Describe the location of the oblique arytenoid muscles.

A
  • form a cross as they run obliquely from the lateral aspect of the arytenoid cartilage, cross at the midline and continue to other lateral side
  • continue superiorly as the aryepiglottic part
38
Q

What is the motor innervation of the larynx?

A
  • all muscles supplied by recurrent laryngeal nerve
  • EXCEPT cricothyroid supplied by external branch of superior laryngeal nerve
  • both are branches of CN X
39
Q

What is the sensory innervation of the larynx?

A
  • sensation superior to vocal fold supplied by internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve
  • sensation inferior to vocal folds supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve
  • both are branches of CN X
40
Q

Describe the shape of the rima glottidis during normal breathing.

A
  • quiet respiration
  • vocal and vestibular folds abducted (open)
  • rima glottidis triangular in shape
  • vestibule open
41
Q

Describe the shape of the rima glottidis during forced inspiration.

A
  • opened wider by the cricoarytenoid muscle, wider based triangular
  • vestibule open
42
Q

Describe the shape of the rima glottidis during phonation.

A
  • vocal cords adducted
  • vestibule open
  • rima glottidis is closed, air forced through causing vibration
43
Q

Describe the shape of the rima glottidis during effort closure.

A
  • vocal and vestibular folds adducted (closed)
  • rima glottidis and vestibule closed
  • valsalva manoeuvre
44
Q

What is the valsalva manoeuvre used for?

A
  • when lifting weights
  • bowel moments
  • equalising pressure in the middle ear