Neck Flashcards
(176 cards)
At what vertebral levels is the larynx found
C3 - C6
What can the larynx be broadly divided into
Supraglottis
Glottis
Subglottis
How many cartilages make up the larynx and how many of these are paired
11
4 paired
What are the 4 paired cartilages of the larynx
Arytenoid
Corniculate cartilages of Santorino
Cuneiform cartilages of Wrisberg
Posterior sesamoid cartilage
What are the 3 unpaired cartilages of the larynx
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
What is the laryngeal inlet and what are its borders
Laryngeal inlet connects the larynx to pharynx
Anterior/Superior borders - epiglottis
Lateral - aryepiglottic folds
Posterior - Intraarytenoid
What is the quadrangular membrane
Connective tissue layer that spans from the lateral aspect of the epiglottis to the arytenoids
The quadrangular membrane thickens inferiorly and forms what structure
Inferior margin thickens to form the vestibular ligament - which form the vestibular folds (false vocal cords)
Laryngeal ventricles are found where
In the space between the vestibular ligaments and the vocal cords
Where do the vocal cords extend to
From the midline surface on the inside of the thyroid cartilage (anterior commissure)
To the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage
What is the anterior commissure
Midpoint between the thyroid notch and the lower border of thyroid
Describe the cricothyroid joint
Inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage articulates with the cricoid cartilage
At an encapsulated synovial joint
What movements are facilitated at the cricothyroid joint
Rotation
Gliding
What does contraction of the cricothyroid muscles
Forward and downwards tilting of the thyroid cartilage
Simultaneous upward movement of the cricoid
Describe the cricoarytenoid joint
Synovial articulation between the base of the arytenoid and the lamina of the cricoid cartilage
Surrounded by a loose joint capsule which inserts at a distance from the cartilage articulator surface margin allowing a wider range of movement
What movements are facilitated by the cricoarytenoid joint
Arytenoid cartilage can glide forwards and backwards over the cricoid lamina, rock medially and laterally and rotate around its axis.
What reinforces the cricoarytenoid joint capsule
Posterior cricothyroid ligament
The ligament fibres extend above the level of the articulation to insert to insert at the arytenoid process and vocal process
Where does the thyrohyoid membrane extend
Upper border of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone
The thickenings of the thyrohyoid membrane form what
Median and lateral thyrohyoid ligaments
Which structures pierce the thyrohyoid membrane
Superior laryngeal vessels
Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
What are the 2 free margins of the quadrangular membrane
Superior margin - forms the aryepiglottic fold (less defined)
Inferior margin - forms the vestibular ligament
What is the conus elasticas and where does it attach
Submucosal membrane originates from the upper border of the arch of the cricoid cartilage
Extends superiorly to attach to the inner plate of the thyroid cartilage anteriorly and the vocal process of the arytenoid posterirly
What is the conus elasticas also known as
Cricothyroid ligament
The conus elasticas is thickening laterally to form what structure
Vocal ligament