Larynx Flashcards Preview

ESA 4 - Head and Neck > Larynx > Flashcards

Flashcards in Larynx Deck (15)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What are the functions of the larynx?

A

Respiration (open valve)
Phonation (partially closes valve)
Protecting trachea/bronchial tree (swallowing)
Cough reflex

2
Q

What are the three parts of the larynx?

A

Supraglottis
Glottis
Subglottis

3
Q

What are the boundaries of the supraglottis?

A
Inferior surface of epiglottis
Vestibular folds (false cords)
4
Q

What are the boundaries of the glottis?

A

Vocal cords (including 1cm inferiorly)

5
Q

What are the boundaries of the subglottis?

A

From 1cm inferior to vocal cords

To lower border of cricoid cartilage

6
Q

What are the main structures of the larynx?

A
Epiglottis
Thyroid cartilage
Cricoid cartilage
Arytenoid cartilage (paired)
Vocal cords
7
Q

What is the piriform fossa?

A

Little “pockets” either side of the opening to the larynx

8
Q

Describe the epiglottis.

A

Leaf shaped plate of elastic fibrocartilage
Attached posterior to thyroid cartilage by thyroepiglottic ligament
Vallecula - depression between tongue base and epiglottis

9
Q

Describe the thyroid cartilage.

A

Laryngeal prominence (‘Adam’s Apple’)
Largest cartilage comprising two lamina
Superior and inferior thyroid horns (for hyoid and cricoid respectively)

10
Q

Describe the cricoid cartilage.

A

Most inferior cartilage, completely encircles the airway
Signet ring shape
2 articular facets on each side
- Superolateral surface for arytenoid cartilage
- Lateral surface for the medial surface of inferior horn of
thyroid cartilage

11
Q

Describe the arytenoid cartilage.

A

Pyramid shaped

Concave base articulating with cricoid
Involved in vocal cord movement

12
Q

What are the layers of the vocal cord?

A

Stratified squamous epithelium
Reinke’s space
Vocal ligament
Vocal muscle

13
Q

What are the vocal cord muscles?

A

Abduction - posterior cricoarytenoid

Adduction - lateral cricoarytenoid

14
Q

List the laryngeal blood supply.

A

Arterial:
Superior laryngeal artery (Superior thyroid artery)
Inferior laryngeal artery (Inferior thyroid artery)

Venous:
Superior laryngeal vein
Inferior laryngeal vein

NB - accompany the SLN and RLN

15
Q

Describe the laryngeal nerve supply.

A

Superior laryngeal nerve
- Deep to carotid arteries
- Internal (sensory) - pierces thyrohyoid membrane
- External (motor) - deep to superior thyroid artery,
supplying cricothyroid muscle

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

  • Right - under subclavian artery
  • Left - under aortic arch
  • Tracheo-oespohageal groove