A + P Flashcards
Framework of the larynx (bone(s) and cartilage(s)) (7):
- Hyoid bone (only bone in the larynx, a “floating” bone)
- Epiglottis
- Thyroid cartilage
- Corniculate cartilages
- Arytenoid cartilages
- Cuneiform cartilages
- Cricoid cartilage
Hyoid bone
- only floating bone in body besides patella (knee cap)
- Osseous
- U-shaped (opens posteriorly)
- Supports tongue and serves as attachment point for 9 muscles
- Three elements of the hyoid bone
- Corpus/body of hyoid is shield-like structure that forms the front of the bone
- Corpus is the point of attachment for 6 muscles
Epiglottis
– leaf-like cartilage that acts as a protective structure when it inverts to cover the laryngeal opening during swallowing
Thyroid cartilage
– largest of the laryngeal cartilages
Arytenoid cartilages
- ride on the high-backed upper surface of the cricoid cartilage, forming the posterior point of attachment for the vocal folds
- 2 processes attach (Vocal and Muscular)
- Provide attachments for the Thyromuscularis and Thyrovocalis
Corniculate cartilages
– sit at the apex of the arytenoid cartilages, horn-like shaped
Cuneiform Cartilages
– paired wedge-shaped rods embedded within the aryepiglottic folds
Cricoid cartilage
– complete ring sitting on top of the trachea, on lateral view it gives the appearance of a signet ring (back arches up relative to the front)
2 Processes attached to the arytenoid cartilages:
- Vocal process
2. Muscular process
Function and location of the Vocal process:
– projects anteriorly toward the thyroid notch, the vocal folds attach here
Function and location of the Muscular process:
– point of attachment for muscles that adduct and abduct the vocal folds
Laryngeal membranes (3):
- Intrinsic ligaments
- Quadrangular membranes (paired)
- Conus elasticus connects the thyroid, cricoid and arytenoids cartilages
Intrinsic ligaments (location:
connect the cartilages of the larynx and form the support structure for the cavity of the larynx as well as the vocal folds
Quadrangular membranes (paired) (location):
are the upper portion of the elastic membrane lining the larynx
Conus elasticus (location):
connects the thyroid, cricoid and arytenoids cartilages
Arytenoid Folds (location):
- Folds of mucous membrane which enclose ligamentous and muscular fibers, extend from the sides of the epiglottis to the apexes of the arytenoid cartilages
- Form the entrance to the larynx
- Connect the arytenoids and the epiglottis
Vocal folds:
- composed of five layers of tissue
- Thin sheet of squamous epithelium (gives VFs glistening white appearance)–>healthy VFs = white
- Deep to this layer is the lamina propria which is comprised of three different tissues
- The fifth layer of the VFs is the Thyrovocalis muscle.
5 layers of the true vocal folds:
- Epithelium
- Lamina propria
- ->Superficial layer
- ->Intermediate layer
- ->Deep layer
- Thyroarytenoid m.
Ventricular Folds:
- a.k.a. false (vocal) folds or vestibular folds
- thick folds of mucous membrane
- above true vocal folds
- not used in normal phonation
False vocal fold engage when…
…there is hyperactivity or if they lost their true vocal fold due to disease
Innervation to Larynx (Motor + Sensory):
- Motor: Vagus (CN X) – RLN & SLN
- Sensory:
–>Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
–>Internal laryngeal (X) above the false vocal folds
RLN (X) below the false vocal folds
What’s the first question to ask if a client has a paralyzed vocal fold?
Ask if they have had any heart surgery
The Recurrent laryngeal nerve could have been nip b/c it wraps around the heart.
If Left paralysis = nerve near heart
If Right or left paralysis = nerve near the thyroid
Three Voice Subsystems:
- Respiration (Air pressure system)
- Phonation (Vibratory system)
- Resonation (Resonating system)
The Respiration system is the:
power source for voice