Anatomy of Phonation: the larynx

Question 1

What is phonation?

Answer 1

voicing; when the vocal folds are set into vibration

Question 2

What is the main structure of phonation?

Answer 2

the larynx; the “sound source”

Question 3

When the vocal folds adduct, the glottis…

Answer 3

closes

Question 4

When the vocal folds abduct, the glottis…

Answer 4

opens

Question 5

Where are the bottom of the vocal folds located?

Answer 5

the anterior of the neck

Question 6

The only bone of the larynx (floating)

Answer 6

hyoid bone

Question 7

covers the opening of the larynx during swallowing

Answer 7

epiglottis

Question 8

biggest cartilage of the larynx

Answer 8

thyroid cartilage

Question 9

sit posterior to the VFs (paired)

Answer 9

arytenoid cartilages

Question 10

embedded in the aryepiglottic folds (paired)

Answer 10

cuneiform cartilages

Question 11

resembles a signet ring; most inferior cartilage of the larynx

Answer 11

cricoid cartilage

Question 12

membrane that connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone

Answer 12

the thyrohyoid membrane

Question 13

sit at the apex of the arytenoid cartilages (paired)

Answer 13

corniculate cartilages

Question 14

three elements of the hyoid bone

Answer 14

greater horn, lesser horn, corpus of the hyoid bone

Question 15

process of the arytenoid cartilage that projects anteriorly toward the thyroid notch and provides attachment for the thyrovocalis

Answer 15

vocal process

Question 16

process of the arytenoid cartilage that is the point of attachment for thyromuscularis

Answer 16

muscular process

Question 17

upper portion of the elastic membrane lining the larynx

Answer 17

quadrangular membranes

Question 18

connects the thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages

Answer 18

conus elasticus

Question 19

folds of mucous membrane that extend from the sides of the epiglottis to the apexes of the arytenoid cartilages

Answer 19

aryepiglottic folds

Question 20

name the five layers that make up the vocal folds

Answer 20

epithelium; superficial lamina propria, intermediate lamina propria, deep lamina propria, thyrovocalis muscle

Question 21

false folds that sit above true vocal folds and do not vibrate (phonate); aka vestibular folds

Answer 21

ventricular folds

Question 22

innervation of the larynx (motor)

Answer 22

vagus nerve (CN X): RLN & SLN

Question 23

The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) controls how much of the laryngeal muscle?

Answer 23

99%

Question 24

Which nerve of the RLN loops around the aorta?

Answer 24

the left nerve

Question 25

What does the external superior laryngeal nerve control?

Answer 25

the cricothyroid muscle

Question 26

innervation of the larynx (sensory)

Answer 26

glossopharyngeal (CN IX); 2 branches of the vagus nerve (CN X): RLN & SLN

Question 27

What does the internal superior laryngeal nerve control?

Answer 27

sensation above the false vocal folds