Larynx Flashcards

Explore the larynx, including its cartilages, muscles, membranes, internal cavities, vocal folds, innervation, blood supply, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the larynx?

A cartilaginous and muscular organ of the respiratory tract that protects the airway and produces voice.

In This Section

1. What is the larynx?

A cartilaginous and muscular organ of the respiratory tract that protects the airway and produces voice.

2. At approximately which vertebral levels is the adult larynx located?

Between the third and sixth cervical vertebrae (C3 to C6).

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

Airway protection, regulation of airflow during respiration, and phonation.

4. Which three laryngeal cartilages are unpaired?

The thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottic cartilages.

5. Which three types of laryngeal cartilages are paired?

The arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages.

6. Which cartilage forms the largest part of the laryngeal skeleton?

The thyroid cartilage, consisting of two laminae that meet anteriorly to form the laryngeal prominence.

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

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

8. What is the anatomical role of the epiglottis?

It forms the anterior boundary of the laryngeal inlet and helps deflect swallowed material away from the airway.

9. What is the primary function of the arytenoid cartilages?

They control the position and movement of the vocal folds through their vocal and muscular processes.

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

The thyrohyoid membrane.

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

The quadrangular membrane and conus elasticus.

12. Which ligament forms the supporting core of each true vocal fold?

The vocal ligament, formed by the thickened superior free edge of the conus elasticus.

13. What are the three major regions of the laryngeal cavity?

The laryngeal vestibule, middle cavity containing the ventricles, and infraglottic cavity.

14. What anatomical structures form the boundaries of the laryngeal inlet?

The epiglottis anteriorly, aryepiglottic folds laterally, and interarytenoid region posteriorly.

15. What is the difference between the true and false vocal folds?

True vocal folds vibrate during phonation, while false vocal folds primarily assist with airway protection.

16. What is the glottis?

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

17. Which synovial joints permit abduction and adduction of the vocal folds?

The paired cricoarytenoid joints.

18. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle is the principal abductor of the vocal folds?

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

19. Which muscles primarily adduct the vocal folds?

The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles adduct the membranous folds, while the arytenoid muscles close the posterior glottis.

20. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle increases vocal fold length and tension?

The cricothyroid muscle.

21. What is the principal function of the thyroarytenoid muscle?

It shortens and relaxes the vocal folds while helping regulate their stiffness.

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

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

23. Which nerve supplies motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle?

The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

24. Which nerve supplies general sensation to the laryngeal mucosa above the vocal folds?

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

25. Which nerve supplies general sensation to the laryngeal mucosa below the vocal folds?

The inferior laryngeal nerve.

26. Which arteries provide the principal blood supply to the larynx?

The superior and inferior laryngeal arteries, usually arising from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries respectively.

27. How does lymphatic drainage differ above and below the true vocal folds?

The supraglottis drains mainly to upper deep cervical nodes, while the subglottis drains through prelaryngeal and paratracheal nodes toward deep cervical nodes.

28. How does the larynx protect the lower respiratory tract during swallowing?

Laryngeal elevation, epiglottic inversion, and closure of the arytenoids and vocal folds help prevent aspiration.

29. What clinical deficit commonly results from unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury?

Ipsilateral vocal fold paralysis or weakness, often producing hoarseness and impaired glottic closure.

30. Which laryngeal membrane is used to access the airway during emergency cricothyrotomy?

The cricothyroid membrane, between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages.