Larynx

Question 1

3 functions of the larynx

Answer 1

respiratory, protective, phonation

Question 2

lateral rotation of what joint widens the rima glottidis

Answer 2

cricoarytenoid

Question 3

what muscles attach to the cricoarytenoid joints

Answer 3

posterior cricoarytenoids

Question 4

how is the protective function of the larynx carried out

Answer 4

glottis closure and the cough reflex

Question 5

how does phonation occur

Answer 5

inspiration increases subglottal pressure, vocal cords vibrate as air passes, the upper respiratory tract modifies vibrations

Question 6

what dictates the pitch of speech

Answer 6

tension/length of vocal cords, degree of opening and shape of rima glottidis

Question 7

what nerve innervates the intrinsic muscles of the larynx

Answer 7

inferior laryngeal branch of CN X

Question 8

what is the laryngeal suspended from and by what

Answer 8

the hyoid bone by fibrous membranes

Question 9

what type of cartilage is the laryngeal skeleton composed of

Answer 9

mainly hyaline

epiglottis is elastic

Question 10

what type of mucosa lines the internal larynx

Answer 10

respiratory

Question 11

what are the 3 regions of internal larynx

Answer 11

laryngeal vestibule, laryngeal ventricles and infra-glottic region

Question 12

what is collectively known as the supra-glottic region

Answer 12

vestibule and ventricles

Question 13

what happens to the rima glottidis when the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles contract

Answer 13

opens - forced respiration

Question 14

what happens to the rima glottidis when the arytenoid muscles contract

Answer 14

closed for phonation

Question 15

what happens to the rima glottidis when the lateral crico-arytenoid muscles contract

Answer 15

glottis closure with slight opening for whispering

Question 16

what is the function of the lateral cricoarytenoids

Answer 16

adduct the vocal ligaments via the cricoarytenoid joints

Question 17

what two structures do the lateral cricoarytenoids attach

Answer 17

muscular process of the arytenoid to the anterior cricoid cartilage.

Question 18

what does the arytenoid muscle do

Answer 18

abduct the vocal cord via the cricoarytenoid joint

Question 19

what do the arytenoid muscles attach

Answer 19

the posterior cricoid cartilage to the muscular process of the arytenoid

Question 20

function of thyroarytenoids

Answer 20

relax vocal ligament to decrease pitch

Question 21

what do the thyroarytenoids attach

Answer 21

posterior thyroid to the anterior arytenoid cartilage

Question 22

function of cricoarytenoids

Answer 22

tense the vocal ligament to increase pitch

nod’ the thyroid cartilage

Question 23

what do the cricoarytenoids attach

Answer 23

anterolateral cricoid cartilage to the inferior horn of the thyroid

Question 24

describe oral articulation

Answer 24

soft palate tenses and elevates closing the nasopharynx

tongue, teeth and lips modify

Question 25

describe nasal articulation

Answer 25

soft palate depresses to close the oropharynx, air in the nasal cavities produce ‘m’, ‘n’ or ‘ing’ depending on the teeth and lips

Question 26

course of superior laryngeal nerve

Answer 26

branches and splits (internal and external)
internal passes through thyrohyoid membrane towards supraglottal mucosa - sensory
external supplies cricothyroid

Question 27

where does the recurrent laryngeal nerve run in relation to the thyroid

Answer 27

posterior

Question 28

what does the recurrent laryngeal nerve innervate

Answer 28

all intrinsic laryngeal muscles (except cricothyroid) and sub-glottal folds

Question 29

when is the recurrent laryngeal nerve referred to as the inferior laryngeal nerve

Answer 29

when it passes behind the cricothyroid joint

Question 30

what nerve picks up sensation in the cough reflex

Answer 30

Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

Question 31

describe the cough reflex

Answer 31

superior laryngeal nerve picks up supraglottic object and conveys this to the medulla oblongata
the lateral cricoarytenoid and arytenoid muscles close rima glottidis
inspiratory muscles contract and a jet of air is passed out dislodging the object

Question 32

where do supraglottic tumours drain

Answer 32

deep cervical lymph nodes

Question 33

where do glottic tumours present

Answer 33

vocal cords

Question 34

where do supraglottic spread

Answer 34

paratracheal nodes

Question 35

where is the tip of the laryngoscope blade placed

Answer 35

vallecula

Question 36

what is the vallecula

Answer 36

mucosal lined space located between the base of the tongue and anterior epiglottis

Question 37

how is the hyoid held in place

Answer 37

series of fibrous and muscular connections

Question 38

function of the hyoid

Answer 38

muscular attachment and airway patency

Question 39

what does hyoid movement facilitate

Answer 39

swallowing and speech

Question 40

suprahyoid muscles

Answer 40

digastric (anterior and posterior bellies), mylohyoid, geniohyoid

Question 41

infrahyoid muscles

Answer 41

thyrohyoid, sternohyoid, omohyoid,