Laryngeal Structures Flashcards

Examine the cartilages, membranes, ligaments, joints, muscles, internal compartments, and neurovascular anatomy of the larynx.

Card 1 of 30Question

Where is the larynx located in the neck?

In the anterior neck, approximately opposite vertebral levels C3 to C6 in adults.

In This Section

1. Where is the larynx located in the neck?

In the anterior neck, approximately opposite vertebral levels C3 to C6 in adults.

2. What are the three principal functions of the larynx?

Airway protection, regulation of airflow, and phonation.

3. Which three laryngeal cartilages are unpaired?

The thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottic cartilages.

4. Which three types of laryngeal cartilages are paired?

The arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages.

5. Which cartilage forms the largest component of the laryngeal skeleton?

The thyroid cartilage.

6. What anatomical feature is formed by the anterior union of the thyroid cartilage laminae?

The laryngeal prominence, commonly called the Adam's apple.

7. Which laryngeal cartilage forms a complete ring around the airway?

The cricoid cartilage, with a narrow anterior arch and broad posterior lamina.

8. Which cartilage lies posterior to the tongue and contributes to closing the laryngeal inlet during swallowing?

The epiglottis, composed primarily of elastic cartilage.

9. Where are the arytenoid cartilages located?

On the superior aspect of the posterior cricoid lamina.

10. What attaches to the vocal process of each arytenoid cartilage?

The posterior end of the vocal ligament.

11. What attaches to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage?

The posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles.

12. Where are the corniculate cartilages situated?

At the apices of the arytenoid cartilages within the aryepiglottic folds.

13. What is the location of the cuneiform cartilages?

Within the aryepiglottic folds, anterior and superior to the corniculate cartilages.

14. Which membrane connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?

The thyrohyoid membrane.

15. Which membrane connects the cricoid cartilage to the first tracheal ring?

The cricotracheal ligament.

16. What are the two principal components of the fibroelastic membrane of the larynx?

The quadrangular membrane and conus elasticus.

17. Which ligament forms the inferior free border of the quadrangular membrane?

The vestibular ligament, which forms the core of the vestibular fold.

18. What structure is formed by the thickened superior free edge of the conus elasticus?

The vocal ligament, forming the fibrous core of the true vocal fold.

19. What are the three major internal regions of the laryngeal cavity?

The laryngeal vestibule, laryngeal ventricle region, and infraglottic cavity.

20. What separates the vestibular folds from the true vocal folds?

The laryngeal ventricles, paired lateral recesses of the laryngeal cavity.

21. What is the glottis?

The true vocal folds and the rima glottidis, the opening between them.

22. Which joints permit movements between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages?

The paired cricothyroid synovial joints.

23. Which joints permit movement of the arytenoid cartilages during vocal fold abduction and adduction?

The paired cricoarytenoid synovial joints.

24. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle is the primary abductor of the vocal folds?

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

25. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle primarily tenses and elongates the vocal folds?

The cricothyroid muscle.

26. Which nerve supplies all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid?

The inferior laryngeal nerve, the terminal continuation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

27. Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the laryngeal mucosa above the vocal folds?

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

28. Which artery supplies the upper portion of the larynx?

The superior laryngeal artery, usually a branch of the superior thyroid artery.

29. Which artery supplies the lower portion of the larynx?

The inferior laryngeal artery, a branch of the inferior thyroid artery.

30. Why is lymphatic drainage from the true vocal folds relatively limited?

The true vocal folds contain a sparse lymphatic network compared with the supraglottic and subglottic regions.