18 Questions
Which group of muscles move the larynx up and down during swallowing?
Extrinsic muscles
Which muscle is not part of the extrinsic muscles of the larynx?
Cricoarytenoid muscle
Which muscle is responsible for depressing the larynx?
Sternothyroid muscle
In relation to the hyoid bone, which structure is attached to the thyroid cartilage by the thyrohyoid membrane?
Stylohyoid muscle
Which muscle is involved in widening the laryngeal inlet?
Oblique arytenoid muscle
Which muscle is not involved in moving the vocal folds (cords)?
Stylopharyngeus muscle
What is the function of the larynx?
Produce sound
Which cartilage of the larynx is the largest?
Thyroid cartilage
Where are the arytenoid cartilages located?
At the back of the larynx
Which muscle is responsible for relaxing the vocal cords?
Thyroarytenoid (vocalis) muscle
Which muscle is involved in adducting the vocal cords?
Thyroarytenoid (vocalis) muscle
What is the shape of the cricoid cartilage?
Ring-like
Which muscle abducts the vocal cords?
Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
Which muscles cover the front of the larynx?
Infrahyoid strap muscles
What type of joint exists between the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages?
Synovial joint
Which muscle approximates the arytenoid cartilages?
Transverse arytenoid muscle
What nerve supplies the intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscle?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Which blood vessel supplies the lower half of the larynx?
Inferior laryngeal branch of the inferior thyroid artery
Study Notes
Structure of the Vocal Fold
- Formed by mucous membrane covering the vocal ligament
- Avascular and white in color
- Moves with respiration and can be seen with a laryngoscope
Cavity of the Larynx
- Divided into three regions: vestibule, middle region, and lower region
- Vestibule: situated between the inlet and the vestibular folds
- Middle region: situated between the vestibular folds above and the vocal folds below
- Lower region: situated between the vocal folds above and the lower border of the cricoid cartilage below
Muscles of the Larynx
- Divided into two groups: extrinsic and intrinsic
- Extrinsic muscles: move the larynx up and down during swallowing
- Intrinsic muscles: modify the laryngeal inlet and move the vocal folds
- Extrinsic muscles involved in elevation: digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and palatopharyngeus
- Extrinsic muscles involved in depression: sternothyroid, sternohyoid, and omohyoid
- Intrinsic muscles that narrow the laryngeal inlet: oblique arytenoid muscle
- Intrinsic muscles that widen the laryngeal inlet: thyroepiglottic muscle
- Intrinsic muscles that move the vocal folds: cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid (vocalis), lateral cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, and transverse arytenoid
Cartilages of the Larynx
- Thyroid cartilage: largest cartilage of the larynx, formed of hyaline cartilage, and has an oblique line for muscle attachment
- Cricoid cartilage: formed of hyaline cartilage, shaped like a signet ring, and has facets for articulation with the thyroid cartilage and arytenoid cartilages
- Arytenoid cartilages: small, pyramid-shaped, and articulate with the cricoid cartilage
Mucous Membrane of the Larynx
- Lines the cavity of the larynx
- Covered with ciliated columnar epithelium, except on the vocal cords where it is covered with stratified squamous epithelium
Nerve Supply of the Larynx
- Sensory nerves: internal laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal branch of the vagus (above the vocal cords) and recurrent laryngeal nerve (below the vocal cords)
- Motor nerves: recurrent laryngeal nerve (supplies all intrinsic muscles except the cricothyroid muscle) and external laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal branch of the vagus (supplies the cricothyroid muscle)
Blood Supply of the Larynx
- Upper half of the larynx: supplied by the superior laryngeal branch of the superior thyroid artery
- Lower half of the larynx: supplied by the inferior laryngeal branch of the inferior thyroid artery
Lymph Drainage of the Larynx
- Lymph vessels drain into the deep cervical group of nodes
Explore the structure and regions of the larynx, with a focus on the avascular and white vocal ligament. Learn about the three regions of the larynx and their respective functions.
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