The Larynx Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the composition of the larynx?

One bone and 9 cartilages (correct)

Two bones and 9 cartilages

One bone and 8 cartilages

Two bones and 8 cartilages

What title has the larynx earned due to its position at the superior end of the bronchial tree and trachea?

Guardian of the airway

What is the primary function of the larynx?

Protecting the airway and producing sound

What is the one bone of the larynx?

Hyoid bone Signup and view all the answers

How is the larynx connected to the hyoid bone?

Thyrohyoid membrane Signup and view all the answers

Name the three unpaired laryngeal cartilages.

Thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, epiglottic cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Name the three paired laryngeal cartilages.

Arytenoid cartilage, cuneiform cartilage, corniculate cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Which paired cartilage is most important for sound production and why?

Arytenoid cartilage; due to their muscular and ligamentous attachments to vocal cords Signup and view all the answers

What muscles attach to the posterolateral border of the thyroid cartilage?

Stylopharyngeus muscle, palatopharyngeus muscle Signup and view all the answers

What are the well-known facts related to the thyroid cartilage?

Known as the 'Adam's apple', grows rapidly at puberty causing voice pitch changes Signup and view all the answers

Which cartilage surrounds the airway?

Cricoid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

How does the cricoid cartilage articulate with the thyroid cartilage and what does this allow?

Cricothyroid joint; allows anterior rotation and anterior gliding of the thyroid cartilage for vocal cord tension adjustment Signup and view all the answers

How is the hyoid bone attached to the epiglottis?

Hyoepiglottic ligament Signup and view all the answers

What muscle of the epiglottis assists in closing the laryngeal inlet?

Thyroepiglotticus muscle Signup and view all the answers

How is the arytenoid cartilage attached to the epiglottis?

Aryepiglottic fold Signup and view all the answers

Name the three directional movements of the arytenoid cartilages.

Twisting, sliding, tilting Signup and view all the answers

Where does the laryngeal cavity extend?

From the laryngeal inlet to the level of the cricoid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What is the laryngeal inlet and what makes it up?

Opening formed by epiglottis anteriorly, arytenoid cartilages posteriorly, and aryepiglottic fold Signup and view all the answers

Where does the vestibule lie?

Region above vestibular folds (false vocal folds) Signup and view all the answers

What are vestibular folds also known as?

False vocal folds Signup and view all the answers

What is the ventricle?

Left and right lateral recess located between vestibular folds and true vocal folds Signup and view all the answers

What is the infraglottic cavity?

Region between true vocal folds and inferior aspect of cricoid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What three components make up the true vocal folds?

Vocal ligament, vocalis muscle, mucous membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is conus elasticus made up of?

The lateral cricothyroid ligament plus the vocal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What are the vocal ligaments and where do they run?

Thickened medial-most portion of conus elasticus running from thyroid lamina anteriorly to vocal process of arytenoid cartilage posteriorly Signup and view all the answers

Which vocal cords are responsible for sound coming from the larynx?

True vocal folds Signup and view all the answers

What physical function do the true vocal folds have?

Produce audible vibrations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of the Larynx

The larynx is composed of one bone (hyoid bone) and nine cartilages, making it a small yet complex organ.
It is located at the superior end of the bronchial tree and trachea, earning the title "guardian of the airway."

Functions of the Larynx

Maintains a patent airway by protecting the respiratory system from food and foreign substances.
Responsible for phonation, enabling the production of sound and speech.
Works in conjunction with the mouth, nose, and tongue for effective voice production.

Important Anatomical Features

Laryngeal Prominence: A midline elevation formed by the thyroid cartilage, commonly known as the "Adam's Apple."
Thyroid Notch: A depression located on the superior border of the laryngeal prominence.

Cartilage Composition

Unpaired Cartilages: Include thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottic cartilages.
Paired Cartilages: Include arytenoid, cuneiform, and corniculate cartilages.

Sound Production

Arytenoid Cartilage: Most crucial for sound production due to its attachments to the vocal cords.
The true vocal folds (muscles and ligaments attached to the arytenoid cartilage) create sound through vibrations.

Muscular Attachments

The posterolateral border of the thyroid cartilage serves as an attachment site for the stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus muscles.
The thyroepiglotticus muscle aids in closing the laryngeal inlet.

Laryngeal Structure and Cavities

Cricoid Cartilage: Surrounds the airway and articulates with the thyroid cartilage at the cricothyroid joint, allowing for tension adjustments in the vocal cords.
Laryngeal Cavity: Extends from the laryngeal inlet to the level of the cricoid cartilage.

Vocal Anatomy

True Vocal Folds: Composed of vocal ligament, vocalis muscle, and mucous membrane; responsible for sound production.
Conus Elasticus: Formed by the lateral cricothyroid ligament and vocal ligament.

Laryngeal Inlet and Vestibule

The laryngeal inlet is an opening formed by the epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages, bordered by the aryepiglottic fold.
The vestibule is the region above the vestibular folds (false vocal folds).

Ventricle and Infraglottic Cavity

The ventricle is a lateral recess located between the vestibular and true vocal folds.
The infraglottic cavity is the area between the true vocal folds and the inferior aspect of the cricoid cartilage.

Vibratory Function of Vocal Folds

True vocal folds generate audible vibrations when air passes through them during phonation.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards on the larynx. Learn about its anatomy, position within the bronchial tree, and crucial functions. Perfect for students or anyone interested in human respiratory anatomy.