Larynx Flashcards

1
Q

What are the functions of the larynx?

A

Prevent food/fluid entering airway
Ventilation
Cough reflex
Production of sound

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2
Q

What is the larynx?

A

Part of the respiratory system that lies below the hyoid bone

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3
Q

What are the borders of the larynx?

A

Begins at the laryngeal inlet

Continues as the trachea

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4
Q

What makes up the larynx?

A

3 single cartilages

  • thyroid
  • cricoid
  • epiglottis

3 paired cartilages

  • arytenoid cartilages
  • corniculate cartilages
  • cuneiform cartilages

Membranes

  • thyrohyoid membrane
  • cricothyroid membrane
  • cricotracheal membrane
  • quadrangular membrane
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5
Q

What are the aryepiglottic folds?

A

Form the margins of the oval inlet - from the epiglottis to arytenoid

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6
Q

What is the quadrangular membrane?

A

Membrane between the aryepiglottic folds and vestibular ligament

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7
Q

What is the vestibular ligament?

A

False vocal cord

Free lower border of quadrangular membrane

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8
Q

What is the vocal ligament?

A

True vocal cord

Upper free border of cricothyroid membrane

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9
Q

Where does the larynx lie in relation to the pharynx?

A

Anterior to the laryngopharynx

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10
Q

What are the 3 parts of the larynx?

A

Supraglottis
Glottis
Infraglottis

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11
Q

Where does the supraglottis part lie?

A

Epiglottis -> vestibular ligament

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12
Q

Where does the glottis part lie?

A

Vestibular ligament -> vocal ligament

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13
Q

Where does the infraglottis part lie?

A

Vocal ligament -> trachea

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14
Q

What type of epithelium lines the larynx?

A

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

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15
Q

What are the main actions of the laryngeal muscles?

A

Alter size and shape of inlet
Alter size/position of vocal cords
Close inlet + cords during swallowing

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16
Q

What do the intrinsic laryngeal muscles do?

A

Move cartilages of larynx relative to one another - movement of vocal cords

17
Q

What innervates the laryngeal muscles?

A

Recurrent laryngeal nerve - branch of CN X

18
Q

What do the vocal cords do during inspiration/expiration?

A

Abduct

19
Q

What innervates the cricothyroid muscle?

A

External branch of superior laryngeal nerve - branch of CN X

20
Q

What happens to the vocal cords during a cough?

A

Vocal cords adducted

Intrathoracic pressure builds

Cords suddenly adducted

21
Q

How is the pitch of vocal sound determined?

A

Vocal cord tension

22
Q

What muscle controls vocal fold tension?

A

Cricothyroid muscle

23
Q

What is the action of the cricothyroid muscle?

A

Tilts thyroid cartilage forward on cricoid increasing tension in vocal cords

24
Q

What happens in the larynx during swallowing?

A

Contraction of aryepiglottic muscles - narrows laryngeal inlet + pulls down epiglottis

Elevation of larynx - by pharyngeal muscles

Closure of vocal cords

25
Q

What are the branches of the vagus nerve supplying the larynx?

A

Superior laryngeal

Recurrent laryngeal

26
Q

What does the superior laryngeal nerve supply?

A

Internal branch
- sensory to supraglottic region

External branch
- motor - to cricothroid muscle

27
Q

What does the recurrent laryngeal nerve supply

A

Sensory to subglottic region

Motor to intrinsic muscles

28
Q

What is the route of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

A

Arises from vagus

Right = loops under subclavian artery

Left = loops under arch of aorta

Ascends in trachea-oesophageal groove

29
Q

What is a sign of a unilateral vocal cord palsy?

A

Hoarseness of voice

30
Q

What happens in a unilateral vocal cord palsy?

A

Paralysed vocal cord assumes a paramedial position

Contralateral side compensates

31
Q

What happens in a bilateral vocal cord palsy?

A

Both vocal cords are paralysed and in paramedian position

Narrow glottis

32
Q

Why is a bilateral vocal cord palsy an emergency?

A

Airway obstruction - requires emergency surgical airway

33
Q

What conditions can effect the larynx?

A
Laryngitis
Laryngeal nodules
Croup 
Epiglottitis
Laryngeal oedema
34
Q

What is laryngitis?

A

Inflammation of the vocal cords

35
Q

What is croup?

A

Inflammation of the larynx and trachea due to RSV

36
Q

What are the symptoms of croup?

A

Barking cough
Hoarse voice
Stridor

37
Q

What is epiglottitis?

A

Life-threatening condition where there is inflammation of the epiglottis

38
Q

What are the signs of a patient with a compromised upper airway?

A

Stridor
Raised resp rate
Distress
Hypoxia