Phonatory Physiology, and Neuroanatomy

Question 1

Larynx Has 3 important functions

Answer 1

Larynx Has 3 important functions:
› Respiratory organ controlling flow of air in and
out of lower respiratory tract.
› Protect food from entering the lower airway
› Producing sound

Question 2

Extrinsic muscles of the larynx

Answer 2

These are muscles that are attached on one
end to a structure within the larynx and may
have one or more attachments to a part
outside of the larynx.
 All extrinsic laryngeal muscles have their
larynx attachment on the hyoid bone.

Question 3

Extrinsic laryngeal muscles

Answer 3

8 extrinsic laryngeal muscles
 4 above the hyoid bone (suprahyoid)
 4 below the hyoid bone (infrahyoid)

Question 4

suprahyoid muscles

Answer 4

Digastric
Mylohyoid
Geniohyoid
Stylohyoid

Question 5

Infrahyoid Muscles

Answer 5

Thyrohyoid
Sternothyroid
Sternohyoid
Omohyoid

Question 6

Intrinsic muscles of the larynx

Answer 6

These muscles have both of their
attachments to structures within the larynx
 5 intrinsic laryngeal muscles

Question 7

What are the Intrinsic muscles of the larynx
and which two are the Interarytenoid

Answer 7

Arytenoideus (Interarytenoid)
Lateral cricoarytenoid (Interarytenoid)
Posterior cricoarytenoid
Cricothyroid
Thyroarytenoid

Question 8

Cartilages of the Larynx

Answer 8

Thyroid
Cricoid
Arytenoid

Question 9

Thyroid Cartilage
To what is connected and how ?

Answer 9

Largest Cartilage of the larynx
› Anterior angle of larynx known as “Adams Apple”
› Posteriorly- thyroid has two horns
 Superior horn connects the thyroid to the hyoid
bone
 Inferior horn connects the thyroid with cricoid
cartilage

Question 10

Cricoid Cartilage
What it surrounds ?
what it articulates With and how ?

Answer 10

2nd Largest cartilage of the larynx
› Completely surrounds the trachea
 Two types of movements of the thyroid on cricoid
cartilage.
 Arytenoids articulate with the cricoid on the
posterior surface.

Question 11

Arytenoid Cartilage

Answer 11

2 arytenoid cartilages, each placed on the
posterior surface of the cricoid cartilage
 Pyramid in shape-4 surfaces (3 angles-point
at apex). Essential intrinsic laryngeal
musculature attaches to basal surface.
 Anterior angle of the base of the arytenoid is
know as the vocal process-vocal folds attach
to the point.

Question 12

Epiglottis

Answer 12

Leaf shaped structure
› During phonation epiglottis is away from airway
› Structure assist in protecting the airway and
directing food and liquids into the esophagus by .

Question 13

Corniculate and Cuneiform
Cartilages
What are their shapes and where are they located ?

Answer 13

Corniculate Cartilages are cone shaped
cartilages at the apex of the arytenoids.
 Cuneiform Cartilages are rod shaped and
are found in the aryepiglottic fold.

Question 14

Anatomy of Vocal folds:Body
Cover Model
The first two layers
What are all the layers of the middle layer

Answer 14

Hirano (1981) states vocal folds have 3
layers:
› Outer cover-epithelium-stiffer than the middle
layer
› Middle layer-lamina propria-three layered area of
connective tissue.
 Superficial layer-pliable-loose, fibrous components.
 Intermediate layer consists of elastic fibers.
 Deepest layer consists of collagenous fibers.

Question 15

Anatomy of Vocal folds: Body
Cover Model
* The most deep layer
The if the muscle and what does variation it depends on ?

Answer 15

The body
› Is the vocalis muscle /thyrovocalis.
 Variation in the mechanical characteristics of the
body depending on:
 Muscle activation, collagenous or elastic fibers present,
and other variations.

Question 16

What are all the extrinsic muscles and their functions?

Answer 16

The suprahyoid elevate the larynx and the muscles are
Digastric
Mylohyoid
Geniohyoid
Stylohyoid
The infrahyoid depress or lower the larynx and the muscles are
Thyrohyoid
Sternothyroid
Sternohyoid
Omuhyoid

Question 17

What are all the intrinsic muscles and their functions?

Answer 17

They close, open the vocal folds and change the pitch. The muscles are
Arytenoideus (Interarytenoid)
Lateral cricoarytenoid (Interarytenoid)
Posterior cricoarytenoid
Cricothyroid
Thyroarytenoid

Question 18

What muscles abduct the vocal folds?

Answer 18

The Posterior Cricoarytenoid

Question 19

What muscles adduct the vocal folds?

Answer 19

The thyroarytenoid
The arytenoideus
The Lateral Cricoarytenoid

Question 20

What are the Interarytenoid muscles ?

Answer 20

The arytenoideus
The Lateral Cricoarytenoid

Question 21

What is the muscle responsible for increasing pitch and how ?

Answer 21

Cricothyroid
by increasing the length of the muscle and decreasing the mass.

Question 22

What is the muscle responsible for decreasing pitch, and how ?

Answer 22

The Thyroarytenoid
By decreasing the length and increasing the mass

Question 24

What is the The Thyroarytenoid responsible for?

Answer 24

Its responsible for adducting the vocal folds as well as decreasing pitch.