Larynx Anatomy and Function
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Questions and Answers

What are the two main protective functions of the larynx?

The larynx provides phonation and protects the airway during swallowing.

How does the larynx contribute to the process of deglutition?

The larynx moves upward and downward to facilitate swallowing.

Explain the significance of the laryngeal angle and its changes after puberty.

The laryngeal angle increases in males after puberty, resulting in a larger Adam's apple and lower voice pitch.

What are common clinical conditions that can affect the larynx?

<p>Common conditions include laryngitis and laryngeal incompetence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what vertebral levels is the larynx located?

<p>The larynx is located at the level of C3 to C6 vertebrae.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of laryngoscopy in clinical practice?

<p>Laryngoscopy allows for direct examination of the larynx to diagnose various conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical structures continue below the larynx?

<p>Below the larynx, it continues as the trachea.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the effects of pathological enlargements on the trachea.

<p>Pathological enlargements can compress the trachea, leading to dyspnoea, cough, and a husky voice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a tracheostomy and when is it performed?

<p>A tracheostomy is a reversible emergency procedure done in cases of laryngeal obstruction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three unpaired cartilages of the larynx?

<p>Thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and epiglottis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the composition and structure of the thyroid cartilage.

<p>The thyroid cartilage is the largest laryngeal cartilage made of hyaline cartilage, consisting of two laminae that meet at the thyroid angle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what angle do the thyroid laminae meet in males and females, respectively?

<p>90 degrees in males and 120 degrees in females.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What shapes the cricoid cartilage and where is it located?

<p>The cricoid cartilage is shaped like a signet ring and lies below the thyroid cartilage at the level of C6.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the paired cartilages of the larynx.

<p>Arytenoid cartilage, corniculate cartilage, and cuneiform cartilage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What muscles attach to the oblique line on the outer surface of the thyroid cartilage?

<p>Sternothyroid muscle, thyrohyoid muscle, and inferior constrictor muscle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the epiglottis within the larynx?

<p>The epiglottis prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ligaments attach to the posterior surface of the thyroid cartilage?

<p>Thyroepiglottic ligament, pairs of vestibular ligaments, and pairs of vocal ligaments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the cartilages of the larynx connected to each other?

<p>The cartilages are connected by membranes and ligaments and moved by muscles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of cartilage is the cricoid cartilage made from, and what unique feature does it have in relation to the larynx?

<p>The cricoid cartilage is made of hyaline cartilage and is unique because it completely encircles the larynx.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structural relationship between the epiglottis and the thyroid cartilage.

<p>The lower end of the epiglottis is connected to the back of the thyroid cartilage by the thyroepiglottic ligament.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the arytenoid cartilage located and what is its primary structural shape?

<p>The arytenoid cartilage is located at the back of the larynx and is pyramidal in shape.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the corniculate and cuneiform cartilages in relation to the arytenoid cartilage?

<p>The corniculate and cuneiform cartilages rest above the apex of the arytenoid cartilage and assist in the function of the larynx.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the facet on the cricoid cartilage and its anatomical significance.

<p>The cricoid cartilage has a circular facet on each side for articulation with the inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of the aryepiglottic folds in the anatomy of the epiglottis.

<p>The aryepiglottic folds connect the sides of the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two processes that project from the base of the arytenoid cartilage and their significance?

<p>The two processes are the vocal process, which attaches to the vocal ligament, and the muscular process, which is for muscle attachment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the complex connection of the anterior surface of the epiglottis.

<p>The anterior surface of the epiglottis is connected to the tongue by medial and lateral glossoepiglotic folds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the importance of the vallecula in the anatomy of the epiglottis.

<p>The vallecula is the depression on each side of the median fold of the epiglottis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of synovial joints are found in the larynx, specifically related to the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages?

<p>The joints between the cricoid cartilage and the arytenoid cartilages are synovial type joints.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thyroepiglottic ligament in the larynx?

<p>The thyroepiglottic ligament connects the lower end of the epiglottis to the posterior surface of the thyroid angle, aiding in the stabilization of the epiglottis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage?

<p>It projects laterally and provides attachment to the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the anatomical relationship of the hyoepiglottic ligament.

<p>The hyoepiglottic ligament connects the posterior aspects of the hyoid bone with the anterior surface of the upper end of the epiglottis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do the vestibular folds play in the laryngeal cavity?

<p>The vestibular folds, which project medially, serve to protect the airway and assist in phonation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the location and articulation of the corniculate cartilages.

<p>The corniculate cartilages are two small nodules that articulate with the apex of the arytenoid cartilage, located in the posterior part of the aryepiglottic fold.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the rima glottidis in the larynx.

<p>The rima glottidis is the gap between the vocal folds that is essential for voice production and airway regulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the structural compositions of the laryngeal cartilages differ among types?

<p>Thyroid, cricoid, and basal arytenoid cartilages are made of hyaline cartilage, while the apices of arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages are made of elastic cartilage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the components of the laryngeal cavity and their respective sections.

<p>The laryngeal cavity consists of the vestibule (upper part), ventricle (middle part), and infraglottic compartment (lower part).</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is the cricothyroid joint and what movements does it permit?

<p>The cricothyroid joint is a plane synovial joint that permits rotatory and gliding movements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the classifications of laryngeal muscles and their primary functions?

<p>Laryngeal muscles are categorized into extrinsic muscles, which include elevators and depressors of the larynx, and intrinsic muscles that control vocal cord tension and position.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional significance of the arytenocorniculate joint?

<p>The arytenocorniculate joint has no functional significance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the anatomical relationships of the thyrohyoid membrane.

<p>The thyrohyoid membrane extends from the upper border of the thyroid cartilage to the posterior surface of the hyoid bone and is thickened at the midline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure does the cricotracheal ligament connect?

<p>The cricotracheal ligament connects the cricoid cartilage with the first tracheal ring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the membranes involved in the support of the laryngeal structures.

<p>The thyrohyoid membrane and the quadrangular membrane provide support to laryngeal structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the roles of the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels in the thyrohyoid membrane?

<p>They penetrate the thyrohyoid membrane to provide sensory innervation and blood supply to the larynx.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the cricoarytenoid joint function in regulating the vocal cords?

<p>The cricoarytenoid joint allows for rotatory and gliding movements, enabling abduction and adduction of the vocal cords.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Larynx Anatomy and Function

  • Specialized organ protecting the airway and producing voice.
  • Laryngeal incompetence (compromised protection) leads to aspiration.
  • Located in the anterior neck (C3-C6 vertebrae), higher in children/females.
  • Male larynx grows significantly after puberty, resulting in a lower voice pitch.
  • Length: 44mm (males), 36mm (females).
  • Clinical examination: laryngoscopy; laryngitis (infection/inflammation).
  • Trachea palpation in suprasternal notch; compression can cause dyspnea, cough, hoarse voice.
  • Tracheostomy: emergency procedure for laryngeal obstruction.

Laryngeal Cartilages

  • Three unpaired cartilages: thyroid, cricoid, epiglottis.
  • Three paired cartilages: arytenoid, corniculate, cuneiform.
  • Epiglottis develops from the hypobranchial eminence.
  • Other cartilages derive from pharyngeal arches 4-6.

Thyroid Cartilage

  • Largest laryngeal cartilage; hyaline cartilage.
  • Two laminae meeting at the thyroid angle (Adam's apple).
  • Angle: 90° (males), 120° (females).
  • Oblique line for muscle attachments (sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, inferior constrictor).
  • Posterior borders have superior and inferior cornua for muscle attachment (salpingopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, stylopharyngeus).
  • Posterior surface attaches to thyroepiglottic, vestibular, and vocal ligaments.

Cricoid Cartilage

  • Signet ring-shaped; hyaline cartilage.
  • Lies below the thyroid cartilage (C6 level).
  • Articulates with inferior thyroid cornua and arytenoid cartilages.
  • Only cartilage completely encircling the larynx.

Epiglottis

  • Leaf-shaped, elastic cartilage.
  • Situated behind hyoid bone and tongue base.
  • Connects to thyroid cartilage (thyroepiglottic ligament) and hyoid bone (hyoepiglottic ligament).
  • Connected to arytenoids via aryepiglottic folds.
  • Forms upper boundary of laryngeal inlet.
  • Anterior surface connected to tongue by glossoepiglottic folds; valleculae are depressions lateral to the median glossoepiglottic fold.

Arytenoid Cartilages

  • Paired, pyramidal-shaped; mostly hyaline cartilage.
  • Support corniculate and cuneiform cartilages.
  • Articulate with cricoid lamina.
  • Possess vocal process (vocal ligament attachment) and muscular process (muscle attachment).

Corniculate and Cuneiform Cartilages

  • Corniculate (Santorini's): small nodules articulating with arytenoid apex, located within aryepiglottic folds.
  • Cuneiform (Wrisberg's): rod-like, articulate with corniculate cartilage, located within aryepiglottic folds.

Laryngeal Cartilage Structure and Ossification

  • Thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid base are hyaline cartilage; ossify after age 25.
  • Arytenoid apex, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages are elastic cartilage; do not ossify.

Laryngeal Joints

  • Cricothyroid joint: between inferior thyroid cornu and cricoid cartilage; allows rotation and gliding.
  • Cricoarytenoid joint: between arytenoid base and cricoid lamina; allows vocal cord abduction/adduction and glottis opening/closing.
  • Arytenocorniculate joint: between arytenoid and corniculate cartilages; no significant function.

Laryngeal Ligaments and Membranes

  • Thyrohyoid membrane: connects thyroid cartilage to hyoid bone; contains median and lateral thyrohyoid ligaments, and cartilago triticea.
  • Quadrangular membrane: extends between epiglottis and arytenoids; forms vestibular ligament.
  • Cricotracheal ligament: connects cricoid cartilage to trachea.
  • Thyroepiglottic ligament: connects epiglottis to thyroid cartilage.
  • Hyoepiglottic ligament: connects hyoid bone to epiglottis.
  • Cricothyroid ligament: connects thyroid and cricoid cartilages; its thickened superior border forms the vocal ligament.

Laryngeal Cavity

  • Extends from inlet to cricoid cartilage's lower border.
  • Inlet boundaries: epiglottis (anterior), interarytenoid fold (posterior), aryepiglottic folds (lateral).
  • Divided into vestibule, ventricle (sinus), and infraglottic compartment.

Vestibule

  • Extends from epiglottis to vestibular folds; contains the rima vestibuli (gap between vestibular folds).

Ventricle (Sinus)

  • Space between vestibular and vocal folds.
  • Contains saccule, providing mucus for vocal cord lubrication.
  • Rima glottis: gap between vocal folds and arytenoid vocal processes, lined by stratified squamous epithelium.

Infraglottic Compartment

  • Extends from vocal folds to cricoid cartilage lower border; walls formed by cricothyroid ligament and cricoid cartilage.

Laryngeal Muscles

  • Extrinsic muscles: elevate (suprahyoid: digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, thyrohyoid) and depress (infrahyoid: sternothyroid, sternohyoid) the larynx.
  • Intrinsic muscles: (not detailed in provided text).

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Test your knowledge on the anatomy and function of the larynx, including its structure, cartilages, and clinical significance. This quiz covers essential aspects such as laryngeal protection, voice production, and common medical procedures related to the larynx. Perfect for students in anatomy or medical fields.

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