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Questions and Answers
Where are the valleculae, vestibule, and piriform recesses located?
Where are the valleculae, vestibule, and piriform recesses located?
The valleculae are spaces located on either side of the midline posterior to the tongue and anterior to the epiglottis. The piriform recess is in the laryngopharynx just posterior to the larynx between the thyroid cartilage and the aryepiglottic fold. The vestibule is the space posterior to the epiglottis between the aryepiglottic folds and above the false vocal folds.
What is the pathway for food material as it passes to the esophagus without passing into the airway?
What is the pathway for food material as it passes to the esophagus without passing into the airway?
Food passes over the posterior surface of the tongue, into the valleculae, around the epiglottis into the piriform recesses, and then enters the upper portion of the esophagus.
What is the narrowest part of the airway and where is it located?
What is the narrowest part of the airway and where is it located?
The narrowest part of the airway is the rima glottidis, which is the space found between the true vocal cords.
What nerves innervate the mucosal surface of the larynx and where do they originate?
What nerves innervate the mucosal surface of the larynx and where do they originate?
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What composes the laryngeal skeleton (cartilages) and how do these cartilages articulate with one another?
What composes the laryngeal skeleton (cartilages) and how do these cartilages articulate with one another?
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Where are the thyrohyoid, cricothyroid, and quadrangular membranes located and how do they shape the laryngeal complex?
Where are the thyrohyoid, cricothyroid, and quadrangular membranes located and how do they shape the laryngeal complex?
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What muscles change the position and tension of the vocal cords, how is this accomplished, and what nerve innervates them?
What muscles change the position and tension of the vocal cords, how is this accomplished, and what nerve innervates them?
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When are the vocal cords opened and closed? Why are they closed to cough?
When are the vocal cords opened and closed? Why are they closed to cough?
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How is sound produced?
How is sound produced?
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What is the difference between true and false vocal folds? What is found between them?
What is the difference between true and false vocal folds? What is found between them?
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Study Notes
Laryngeal Anatomy
- Valleculae: Spaces on either side of the midline, located posterior to the tongue and anterior to the epiglottis.
- Piriform Recess: Space in the laryngopharynx, posterior to the larynx, situated between the thyroid cartilage and aryepiglottic fold.
- Vestibule: Entryway to the respiratory tract, located posterior to the epiglottis between the aryepiglottic folds and above the false vocal folds.
Swallowing Pathway
- Food is swallowed over the posterior tongue surface into the valleculae, moving past the epiglottis into the piriform recesses before entering the esophagus.
Airway Anatomy
- Narrowest Part: Rima glottidis, the opening between the true vocal cords, which changes shape during actions like speaking and coughing.
Laryngeal Innervation
- Mucosal surface innervation is provided by:
- Internal laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (up to vocal cords).
- Inferior (recurrent) laryngeal nerve for mucosa beyond vocal cords.
- Both nerves are derived from the vagus nerve.
Laryngeal Cartilage Composition
- Major cartilages: Thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, epiglottis, and arytenoid cartilages.
- Thyroid and cricoid cartilages articulate laterally; arytenoid cartilages connect with the cricoid’s upper posterior surface.
Membranous Structures
- Thyrohyoid Membrane: Connects thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone, contains internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal artery.
- Cricothyroid Membrane: Connects thyroid and cricoid cartilages, forms anterior laryngeal aspect.
- Quadrangular Membrane: Extends from the epiglottis to arytenoid cartilages; its inferior margin contributes to forming the false vocal fold.
Vocal Cord Mechanics
- Vocal cords are modified by muscle actions:
- Abduction: Performed by the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.
- Adduction: Action of the lateral cricoarytenoid and arytenoid muscles.
- Stretching/Tension: Managed by the cricothyroid muscle and vocalis portion of the thyroarytenoid muscle, affecting pitch.
Vocal Cords Functionality
- Vocal cords close to increase intra-thoracic/abdominal pressure or during coughing.
- Open slightly for sound production, more widely for normal breathing, and fully during forced respiration.
Sound Production
- Created by approximated vocal cords, as air passes through the rima glottidis, causing vibrations.
- Pitch change occurs through contraction of the vocalis muscle, while sound is further shaped by oral structures like tongue and lips.
True vs False Vocal Folds
- True Vocal Folds: Inferior folds where sound production occurs; space between them is known as the rima glottidis.
- False Vocal Folds: Located above the true vocal folds, at the inferior edge of the vestibule, involved in protective mechanisms and do not produce sound.
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Description
Explore the intricate anatomy of the larynx with these flashcards. The cards cover key areas such as the valleculae, vestibule, and piriform recesses, providing definitions and locations. Ideal for students of anatomy and related fields.
