Glottis

• Middle part of the larynx

• The space between the vocal folds 

• The area below the vocal folds is also known as the subglottal region. 

• Sub = below the glottis.

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VESTIBULE (RIMA VESTIBULI)

• The space between the fake/false folds

• Non-moving vocal folds

 

 LARYNX

• On top of the trachea (location)

 

BASIC LARYNGEAL FUNCTIONS

• Phonation - production of voice

• Protection from foreign bodies - ideally achieved during swallowing. So, Food/bolus will not go to the airway; particularly, the trachea.

• Pressure maintenance mechanism - In the subglottal area, once the vocal folds are adducted or meeting in the mid-line together. You are closing off the airway, thereby, creating pressure sub-glottaly.  (valsalva maneuver)

• Deglutition/swallowing - protection of the airway

• Respiration - increases the pressure when doing exhalation; can decrease pressure in the inspiratory cycle phase.

*opens up the opening to the esophagus (upper esophageal sphincter)

 

VALSALVA MANEUVER

• Enables pregnant women to push the baby outward from their uterus.

• Enables to push stool when defecating.

• Enables you to give additional force (lifting heavy weights)

 

LARYNX

• A Muscular Cartilaginous Structure

• Passageway of air between the pharynx and trachea

• Membranes located at the upper superior end of the trachea that attaches to the cricoid cartilage (cricoid tracheal junction)

• Contains the vocal folds

• Floating/hanging structure; it is not directly attached to any other structure aside from the hyoid bone.

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CRICOTRACHEAL MEMBRANE/LIGAMENT

• Attaches inferiorly from the parts of the cricoid to the superior part of the first string of the trachea.

 

PAIRED CARTILAGES

• One on the left, and one on the right side for each

• 3 paired cartilages in the larynx:

  • Arytenoid cartilage

  • Corniculate cartilage

  • Cuneiform cartilage

 

UNPAIRED CARTILAGES

• The larger cartilages that span from one side to the other

• 3 unpaired cartilages in the larynx:

  • Epiglottis

  • Thyroid cartilage

  • Cricoid cartilage

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CRICOTHYROID STRUCTURES:

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CRICOTHYROID MEMBRANE

• Connects the cricoid and the thyroid. In addition, it prevents cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage from moving too far apart.

 

HYPOPHARYNX

• Posterior to the larynx

• Goes into the esophagus

• Superiorly goes to the oropharynx (entry from the oral cavity)

• It helps food and water move to the esophagus instead of the larynx.

• Entrance of the esophagus.

 

ESOPHAGUS

• Posterior to the trachea

 

HYOID BONE

• Main attachment of the larynx: superiorly

• Articulating with the thyroid cartilage by a pair of superior processes (known as “superior horn”

• Not part of the Laryngeal Framework. However, it is responsible for holding the larynx in its position

 

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EPIGLOTTIS

• Medial to the hyoid bone

• Protective cartilage that will drop/depress to cover the opening of the larynx; specifically during swallowing

• Protects the airway 

 

• Trachea = series of cartilaginous rings

• Disconnected/separated by a fibro elastic membrane (annular ligament)

• The larynx sits an oddly shaped at the top of the last ring of the trachea

*last meaning most superior ring of the trachea

 

ARYEPIGLOTTIC FOLD

• connects the arytenoid and epiglottis; courses laterally and then comes back medially to attach to the epiglottis.

• Where you can find the cuneiform cartilage (suspended along the aryepiglottic fold that gives it a little more rigidity) 

• Lateral channels (in swallowing terms) the bolus usually flows to the aryepiglottic folds

 

CRICOID CARTILAGES

• Articulates with the arytenoid posteriorly via facet for the arytenoid

• It rest on top of the first tracheal ring

• It is the most inferior of all laryngeal cartilages

• Looks like a signet ring

• Back arching up relative to the anterior side of it and it articulates with the thyroid cartilages in the cricothyroid joint

 

THYROID CARTILAGE

• It is the largest cartilage of the laryngeal framework

• It is involved in voice modulation and serves as an attachment point for a number of muscles and ligaments in the larynx and neck.

• Inferiorly it articulates with the cricoid cartilage

• Enables the rocking feature of the thyroid cartilage (can move interiorly & inferiorly

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ARYTENOID CARTILAGE

• Located at posterior-superior surface of the cricoid cartilages

• Forms the posterior part of attachment for the vocal folds

 

CORNICULATE CARTILAGE

• Located at superior surface of each arytenoid cartilages

• Prominent landmarks in the aryepiglottic folds

 

CUNEIFORM CARTILAGE

• Located within the aryepiglottic folds

• Gives rigidity

 

INNER LARYNX

• Rough tube like space w/ a constriction caused by the cartilages

• Capable of adjustable constriction (Unique construction)

 

VOCAL FOLDS

• Bands of mucus membranes, connective tissues, and muscles.

• Attached to the arytenoids posteriorly

• Provides abduction/adduction functions

• Control the flow of air coming to and out of the trachea