Exam 3 Review:  Chapter 22:  Larynx

larynx - The expanded region of the respiratory tract between the pharynx and the trachea, having walls of hyaline cartilage and various skeletal muscles; it is attached to the hyoid bone; it is connected with the pharynx by an opening, the glottis, which is protected by a lid-like epiglottis; it contains the elastic vocal cords which are enveloped in folds of mucous membrane and are the source of the vocal tone in speech.  nickname - voice box

thyroid cartilage - The largest cartilage (hyaline cartilage) in the framework of the human larynx; it is attached to the hyoid bone; it is shield-shaped and has two broad processes which join anteriorly to form  the protuberance on the front of the neck nicknamed the "Adam's apple" (which is more prominent in males), and is articulated below to the ring-like cricoid cartilage.

epiglottis - The thin elastic cartilaginous lid-like structure (elastic cartilage) located at the root of the tongue which folds posteriorly over to close the glottis to prevent food and liquid from entering the larynx and trachea while food or drink is passing through the pharynx during the act of swallowing or in preparation for a cough or sneeze.

glottis - The opening between the vocal cords at the upper part of the larynx and the vocal apparatus of the larynx; it is protected by the epiglottis, which folds posteriorly over to close it to prevent food and liquid from entering the larynx and trachea while food or drink is passing through the pharynx during the act of swallowing.

cricoid cartilage - The second largest and lower most cartilage (hyaline cartilage) in the framework of the human larynx; it is narrow in front and high behind, where, being positioned within the thyroid cartilage, it is surmounted by the two arytenoid cartilages, from which the vocal cords pass forward to be attached together to the front of the thyroid cartilage.  [Note:  Adjacent to the cricoid cartilage and the first tracheal ring is the cricothyroid membrane, a site used for rapid emergency airway access (cricothyroidotomy).]

arytenoid cartilages - The pair of small pyramidal cartilages (hyaline cartilage) which articulate with the cricoid cartilage; the vocal cords and several skeletal muscles are attached to them; their movement produces tension or relaxation of the vocal cords resulting in a variety of sound pitches.

corniculate cartilages - The pair of small conical nodules of elastic cartilage which surmount the apex of each arytenoid cartilage.

cuneiform cartilages - The pair of small nonarticulating rods of elastic cartilage which lie in the internal mucosal wall of the the larynx somewhat superior to the corniculate cartilages.

vestibular folds - The pair of ridges of the mucous membrane stretching across the laryngeal cavity from the angle of the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage; the enclose a space called the "false glottis;" they serve to protect the vocal folds beneath them from aspirated materials; they contribute to the closure of the glottis during swallowing or in preparation for a cough or sneeze.  nickname - false vocal cords

vocal folds -  The sharp edges of  a pair of ridges of the mucous membrane overlying the vocal ligament and stretching along the laryngeal wall from the the angle between the lamina of the thyroid cartilage to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage; the movement of skeletal muscles attached to the arytenoid cartilages produces tension or relaxation of these tissue edges which then vibrate in a stream of expired air resulting in a variety of sound pitches.  nickname - true vocal cords

[To see vocal folds in action, visit Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) at YouTube.]

laryngitis - Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, characterized by dryness and soreness of the throat, hoarseness or loss of voice, coughing and dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing).

List:

2. The cartilages of the larynx, their functions, and the other parts of the larynx involved in voice production.