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Questions and Answers
Which cartilage of the larynx is the largest and consists of two laminae of hyaline cartilage that meet in the midline, forming the prominent V angle known as Adam's apple?
Which cartilage of the larynx is the largest and consists of two laminae of hyaline cartilage that meet in the midline, forming the prominent V angle known as Adam's apple?
What muscles cover the front of the larynx?
What muscles cover the front of the larynx?
Where is the cricoid cartilage located in relation to the thyroid cartilage?
Where is the cricoid cartilage located in relation to the thyroid cartilage?
Which cartilage of the larynx is shaped like a signet ring, with a broad plate behind and a shallow arch in front?
Which cartilage of the larynx is shaped like a signet ring, with a broad plate behind and a shallow arch in front?
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What structure articulates with the arytenoid cartilage on the upper border posteriorly?
What structure articulates with the arytenoid cartilage on the upper border posteriorly?
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In men, what is the approximate angle between the two laminae of the thyroid cartilage that forms Adam's apple?
In men, what is the approximate angle between the two laminae of the thyroid cartilage that forms Adam's apple?
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To which structure is the epiglottis attached via the thyro-epiglottic ligament?
To which structure is the epiglottis attached via the thyro-epiglottic ligament?
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Which part of the larynx opens above into the laryngeal part of the pharynx and below is continuous with the trachea?
Which part of the larynx opens above into the laryngeal part of the pharynx and below is continuous with the trachea?
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What connects the upper margin of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?
What connects the upper margin of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?
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Which cartilage of the larynx consists of two pairs of corniculate and cuneiform cartilages?
Which cartilage of the larynx consists of two pairs of corniculate and cuneiform cartilages?
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Which cartilages serve to strengthen the aryepiglottic folds?
Which cartilages serve to strengthen the aryepiglottic folds?
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What structures articulate with the bases of the corniculate cartilages?
What structures articulate with the bases of the corniculate cartilages?
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Which muscle is responsible for narrowing the laryngeal inlet?
Which muscle is responsible for narrowing the laryngeal inlet?
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Which muscle is involved in widening the laryngeal inlet?
Which muscle is involved in widening the laryngeal inlet?
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Which muscle tenses the vocal cords?
Which muscle tenses the vocal cords?
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Which nerve supplies the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, except for the cricothyroid muscle?
Which nerve supplies the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, except for the cricothyroid muscle?
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Which artery supplies the upper half of the larynx?
Which artery supplies the upper half of the larynx?
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What is the function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
What is the function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
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What is the function of the vocal fold?
What is the function of the vocal fold?
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Which part of the larynx is pink in color?
Which part of the larynx is pink in color?
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What is the gap between the vocal folds called?
What is the gap between the vocal folds called?
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Which structure forms the inlet of the larynx?
Which structure forms the inlet of the larynx?
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Which type of muscles move the larynx during swallowing?
Which type of muscles move the larynx during swallowing?
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What is done in an emergency situation to establish an airway when it is blocked above the level of vocal folds?
What is done in an emergency situation to establish an airway when it is blocked above the level of vocal folds?
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Which ligament connects the inferior end of the epiglottic cartilage to the posterior median aspect of the thyroid lamina?
Which ligament connects the inferior end of the epiglottic cartilage to the posterior median aspect of the thyroid lamina?
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Which ligament connects the anterior surface of the epiglottis to the body of the hyoid bone?
Which ligament connects the anterior surface of the epiglottis to the body of the hyoid bone?
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Where is the lower cricothyroid ligament attached?
Where is the lower cricothyroid ligament attached?
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What forms the interior of the vocal folds (vocal cords)?
What forms the interior of the vocal folds (vocal cords)?
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Which part of the fibro-elastic membrane of the larynx extends between the epiglottis and the arytenoid cartilages?
Which part of the fibro-elastic membrane of the larynx extends between the epiglottis and the arytenoid cartilages?
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What is composed almost entirely of elastic tissue in the larynx?
What is composed almost entirely of elastic tissue in the larynx?
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Study Notes
Larynx Anatomy
- The larynx is a hollow structure with a cartilaginous framework, responsible for voice production and acting as a sphincter to close the lower respiratory tract.
- Located below the tongue and hyoid bone, it opens above into the laryngeal part of the pharynx and continues below into the trachea.
Cartilages of the Larynx
- The larynx is composed of three large unpaired cartilages (thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis) and three pairs of smaller cartilages (arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform).
- Thyroid cartilage:
- Largest cartilage of the larynx
- Consists of two laminae of hyaline cartilage meeting in the midline at the prominent V angle (Adam's apple)
- Angle between the two laminae is more acute in men (90°) than in women (120°)
- Posterior border extends upward into a superior cornu and downward into an inferior cornu
- Outer surface has an oblique line for muscle attachment
- Cricoid cartilage:
- Shaped like a signet ring
- Lies below the thyroid cartilage and completely encircles the airway
- Lateral surface has a facet for articulation with the inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage
- Posteriorly, the lamina has a facet for articulation with the arytenoid cartilage on each side
- Epiglottis:
- Leaf-shaped lamina of elastic cartilage
- Lies behind the root of the tongue
- Stalk is attached to the back of the thyroid cartilage via the thyro-epiglottic ligament
- Sides are attached to the arytenoid cartilages by the aryepiglottic folds of mucous membrane
- Upper edge is free
Arytenoid Cartilages
- Two pyramid-shaped cartilages sitting on the cricoid cartilage
- Apex articulates with the corniculate cartilage
- Base articulates with the superior border of the cricoid cartilage
- Vocal process and muscular process are present
Membranes and Ligaments of the Larynx
- Extrinsic membrane and ligament:
- Thyrohyoid membrane connects the upper margin of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone
- Thyroepiglottic ligament connects the inferior end of the epiglottic cartilage to the posterior median aspect of the thyroid lamina
- Hyoepiglottic ligament connects the anterior surface of the epiglottis to the body of the hyoid bone
- Cricotracheal ligament connects the cricoid cartilage to the first ring of the trachea
- Intrinsic membrane and ligaments:
- Fibro-elastic membrane of the larynx links together the laryngeal cartilages and completes the architectural framework of the laryngeal cavity
- Upper quadrangular membrane extends between the epiglottis and the arytenoid cartilages
- Lower cricothyroid ligament (cricovocal membrane and cricothyroid membrane) attaches to the upper border of the cricoid cartilage and forms the vocal ligament
Laryngeal Folds
- Vestibular Fold (false vocal cord):
- Fixed fold on each side of the larynx
- Formed by mucous membrane covering the vestibular ligament
- Vascular and pink in color
- Vocal Fold (true vocal cord):
- Mobile fold on each side of the larynx
- Concerned with voice production
- Formed by mucous membrane covering the vocal ligament
- Vascular and white in color
- Gap between the vocal folds is called the rima glottidis
Inlet of the Larynx
- Opening from the pharynx into the larynx
- Formed in front by the epiglottis, laterally by the aryepiglottic fold of mucous membrane, and posteriorly by the arytenoid cartilages with the corniculate cartilages
Muscles of the Larynx
- Extrinsic muscles:
- Move the larynx up and down and forward and backward during swallowing
- Attached to the hyoid bone, suprahoid muscles elevate the larynx, and infrahyoid muscles depress the larynx
- Intrinsic muscles:
- Modify the laryngeal inlet
- Five muscles move the vocal folds (cords)
Nerve Supply of the Larynx
- Sensory nerves:
- Above the vocal cords: Superior laryngeal branch of the vagus
- Below the vocal cords: Recurrent laryngeal nerve
- Motor nerves:
- All intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscle are supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve
- Cricothyroid muscle is supplied by the external laryngeal branch of the vagus
Blood Supply of the Larynx
- Upper half of the larynx: Superior laryngeal branch of the superior thyroid artery
- Lower half of the larynx: Inferior laryngeal branch of the inferior thyroid artery
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Description
Test your knowledge on the anatomy of laryngeal structures including ligaments like thyroepiglottic, hyoepiglottic, and cricotracheal. Identify functions and connections within the intrinsic membrane and ligaments.
