LARYNGEAL MEMBRANES

• External coverings

• Attachment of one structure to the other

• Flow of air will be directed towards the medial

 

INTERNAL MEMBRANES OF THE LARYNX

• Smooth, reasonably aerodynamic surface

• Mucus membrane; Wet and smooth 

• Lines the entire structure of the internal surface of the larynx

 

EXTRINSIC LIGAMENTS

• Provides the attachment of the larynx to the external structure

• Connects the larynx and hyoid bone via thyrohyoid membrane

• Stretches across the space between the greater cordo of the hyoid

 

LATERAL THYROID LIGAMENT

• Runs from superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage to the posterior tip of the greater cornu of the hyoid

 

TRITICEAL CARTILAGE

• Found medial from the median thyroid ligament

• Runs in front or anteriorly from the corpus of the hyoid to the superior border of the anterior thyroid cartilage

 

HYOEPIGLOTTIC LIGAMENT

• Attachment of epiglottis to the corpus of the hyoid

• Superior attachment of the epiglottis

 

THYROEPIGLOTTIC LIGAMENT

• Inferior attachment of the epiglottis

• Attaches the epiglottis to the inner surface of the thyroid cartilages. Just below the thyroid notch or thyroid prominence.

 

LATERAL AND MEDIAN GLOSSOEPIGLOTTIC LIGAMENT

• Epiglottis is attached to the tongue covered by mucous membrane and forms the vallecula.

 

CRICOTRACHEAL LIGAMENT

• Attaches the trachea to the larynx

 

INTRINSIC  LIGAMENTS

• Connect the cartilages of the larynx to each other

• Connect structures within the larynx

 

QUADRANGULAR MEMBRANES

• Connective tissue running from the retinoids to the epiglottis and thyroid cartilage

• Form false vocal folds

• Start/originate at the inner thyroid angle and the sides of the epiglottis

• Forms an upper cone that narrows as it terminates in the free margin of the arytenoids

 

ARYEPIGLOTTIC MUSCLE

• Forms the upper margin and lateral margin of the aryepiglottic folds

 

CONUS ELASTICUS

• Aka cricothyroid membrane

• Vocal process of the arytenoids

 

VOCAL LIGAMENT
 

VF STRUCTURES

• Layer of the vocal folds

• Each covering from the most superficial up to dearest

• Epithelial Layer

• Most superficial

• Made of squamous epithelium

• 0.1mm thick; underlying layer of basement membrane

• Glistening white appearance 

• Aids in keeping delicate tissues moist by assisting in fluids retention

• Superficial lamina propria (SLP)

• Aka Reinke's Space

• Made up of elastic fibers

• Allows to be extensively stretched

• Fibrous & elastic elements of the SLP that cushion the vocal folds when they are impacting each other during adduction

• Intermedia lamina propria (ILP)

• 1-2mm thick

• Mostly composed of elastin running in an anterior-posterior direction which means it crosslayed with SLP (as if overlapping)

* SLP & ILP provides both elasticity and strength to the vocal folds

• Deep lamina propria (DLP)

• 1-2mm thick

• Supportive structure that is made up of collagen fibers that prohibits extension

• Gives more rigid structure; less flexible

• Thyroarytenoid muscle

• Thyrovocalis and Thyromuscularis muscle makes up the bulk of the vocal folds and is the innermost layer of the vocal fold

• The fibers/muscles course through anteriorly (conus elasticus) and posteriorly (vocal process of the arytenoid)

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FINE STRUCTURES OF THE VOCAL FOLDS

• Mucosal lining

• Layers

• Squamous epithelium and the SLP

• Vocal ligament

• ILP and DLP

• Gives a degree of stiffness an supports the vocal folds

• Cover of the vocal folds

• Made up of squamous epithelium, SLP, & ILP

• Body of the vocal folds

• Made up of DLP & muscle layer