Larynx Flashcards
What is the primary function of the larynx?
Protect the tracheobronchial tree
phonation
speech
crucial for valsalva manoeuvre
How could you sue the cricothyroid membrane in an emergency?
Emergency airway - put tube directly down throat without damaging trachea
What type of epithelium covers the vocal ligaments?
Stratified squamous - constantly banging against each other
What mucosa lines most of larynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx?
respiratory mucosa
What is between the vocal ligament and vestibular ligament?
Ventricle and Saccule
What forms the vestibular ligament?
Free lower border of the aryepiglotic membrane
What forms the vocal ligament?
Free upper border of the cricovocal membrane
What forms the vestibular and vocal FOLDS?
Vestibular and Vocal ligament WHEN covered in mucosa
What is the Rima Glottidis?
Space between vocal folds
Where is the aryepiglottic muscle found? What does it do?
Within the aryepiglottic fold (superior part of the membrane)
Around the laryngeal inlet and contracts - reduces size of laryngeal inlet
What is the main motor and sensory innervation of the larynx?
CN X
What are the rules of the nerve supply of the Recurrently laryngeal nerve?
Supplies all sensory to below vocal folds and all laryngeal muscles
EXCEPT cricothyroid muscle (ext laryngeal n)
What does the cricothyroid muscle do?
Pulls thyroid cartilage forwards and down
Lengthens and tightens vocal cords
Raises pitch of voice
What do the lateral and posterior cricoarytenoid muscles do? What does the thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscle do? Hint (PAB is a LAD)
Posterior cricoarytenoid m - Abducts vocal ligaments
Lateral cricoarytenoid m - adducts vocal ligaments
thyroarytenoid and vocalis m - relax vocal folds and lower pitch
How could the superior laryngeal n be damaged and what are the consequences?
Thyroid surgery
Internal branch - aspiration
External branch - lower pitch of voice
