Larynx

Question 1

What are the laryngeal cartilages?

Answer 1

1. Thyroid cartilage
2. Cricoid cartilage
3. Epiglottis
4. Arytenoid cartilages
5. Cuneiform cartilages
6. Corniculate cartilages

Question 2

What is above the laryngeal cartilage?

Answer 2

Hyoid bone

Question 3

What is the function of the hyoid bone?

Answer 3

Attachment site for muscles of tongue and neck

Question 4

What is the function of thyroid and cricoid cartilages?

Answer 4

Protection + Attachment points

Question 5

What is the function of arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages?

Answer 5

• A: phonation
• C/C: support A

Question 6

What is the function of the epiglottis

Answer 6

• Facilitate respiration
• Prevent aspiration

Question 7

What are the rima vestibuli and rima glottidis?

Answer 7

• RV: the space formed between open vestibular folds
• RG: the space formed between open vocal cords

Question 8

Describe the vestibular folds.

Answer 8

• Lined by normal respiratory epithelium with mucous membrane
• Lubricate vocal cords
• Prevent food from entering lower respiratory tract

Question 9

Describe the vocal cords.

Answer 9

• Lined by stratified squamous epithelium
• Embedded vocal ligament vibrates to produce phonation

Question 10

Describe the five possible states of opening / closing of the rima vestibuli and rima glottidis.

Answer 10

1. Quiet respiration - both open
2. Forced inspiration - both open wide
3. Phonation - vocal cords shut, air forced between them
4. Effort closure - both closed
5. Swallowing - both closed, epiglottis swings down

Question 11

What is the arteriovenous supply and drainage of the larynx?

Answer 11

• Ext. common carotid a. > sup. / inf. thyroid a.
• Sup. / Inf. laryngeal a. > IJV

Question 12

What is the innervation of the larynx?

Answer 12

• Vagus nerve, which gives rise to recurrent laryngeal nerve and sup. laryngeal nerve