Chapter 5 Flashcards
What is the biological function of the larynx?
Breathing, coughing/throat clearing, abdominal fixation, swallowing protection
How big are the vocal folds while breathing?
Size of a dime
How many mm is the abduction of the VF for quiet breathing in adults?
8 mm
How many mm is the abduction of the VF for forced respiration in adults?
16 mm
Do we breathe automatically?
Yes, but we do have some control
What is the main tissue that controls the VF?
Arytenoids
What number is the vagus nerve?
10 (called the wanderer)
Where does the vagus nerve sit in the body?
It goes from the intestines to the brainstem
What the the steps of phonation in the VF that the vagus nerve controls?
- deep inhalation through wide abduction of the VF
- vocal fold tensing to create tight adduction of the VF
- Larynx elevates
- increase in positive sub glottal pressure from tissue recoil and muscles of expiration
- high pressure blows the VF apart forcefully
What is the vagus nerves job?
The vagus nerve is a sensory branch along the respiratory tract that triggers the mechanical response of the vocal folds
What are the main muscles used for coughing?
Adduction & Glottal Tensors
What the the muscles of adduction?
Transverse & oblique arytenoids, lateral cricoarytenoids (around the top/sides of the VF)
What are the muscles of glottal tensors?
Cricothyroid muscles, thyrovocalis (medial thyroarytenoids) - around the sides of the VF
What can go wrong w the cough or ability to clear the throat?
To much tension/too often or too little tension
What happens where there is too much tension with coughing?
There is a strain on the VF, vocal nodules form, and vocal abuse (swelling, rubbing, irritation)
What happens where there is too little tension with coughing?
Ineffective cough (losing strength of the muscles which causes swallowing problems)
What is abdominal fixation?
capturing air within the thorax to provide the muscles with a structure on which to push or pull
What is the valsalva maneuver?
Take a large inspiratory breath, tighten the adduction of the VF, results in the thorax becoming a rigid frame from which forces of lifting are transferred to the legs
Does valsalva maneuver slow down the HR?
Yes
What are 3 ways that our body protects our airway while swallowing?
Larynx elevates (up and forward), epiglottis folds down to cover entrance of larynx, aryepolottic folds tense which adduct the VF
How does the voice work?
The vocal folds move into the airstream and create vibration
Vibration
Movement possible by elasticity, stiffness, and inertia
Elasticity
Ability to return to original state after being displaced
Stiffness
Strength of elasticity after being displaced
