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Anatomy and Physiology of the LarynxBy: Ma. Candie Pearl O. Bascos, MD
LarynxConsists of a framework of cartilages held in position by an
intrinsic and an extrinsic msclatre!ined by mcos membrane arranged in characteristic folds
Commnicates abo"e throgh the pharynx
with the moth and the nasal ca"ities and below with the tracheaPro"ides mechanism for exclding from the lower respiratory
tract material being swallowed, for reglating air#ow to and fro the lngsand for "oice prodction
!ocated at the le"el of C$%C& 'adlt(, )ip of the epiglottis to thelower border of the cricoid cartilage
*lightly higher in infants and children with pper border at the
le"el of C+ "ertebra
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INFANT AND ADLT LAR!N"ormal infant larynx % sitated higher in the neck
-nfant larynx %softer, less rigid and more compressible by
airway pressres-nfant larynx % le"el of C+%C, adlts % lies anterior to C%C&
*i/e of newborn larynx %approximately 0mm in 1P length and
opens approximately mm in lateral direction.
Laryngeal Cartilages2 cartilages '$ npaired, $ paired(
3npaired)hyroid cartilage
Cricoid cartilage
4piglottic cartilage
Paired1rytenoid cartilage
Corniclate cartilage
Cneiform cartilage
S#eletomem$rano%s frame&or# 'yoid Bone (Ling%al
Bone)1ttachment for
the larynx 'thyroid cartilage( "ia)hyrohyoid membrane and theextrinsic mscles of the larynx*een abo"e the thyroid notch
3%shapedParts:
Body
Paired greaterhorn
Paired lesserhorn5orns ser"es as attachments formscles
Thyroid
*artilage
5yaline cartilage
!argest and
encloses thelarynx anteriorlyand laterally
*hield%like6 sharply
#exed
a shield shape acting as the anterior 7protecti"e hosing8 of the
"ocal mechanism Parts:
laminae
sperior horns
inferior horns
obli9e line
sperior thyroid notch
'more prominent in males(
Cri*oid Cartlage
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)he only *om+letes#eletal ringfor the airway
1ttached to the thyroid cartilage at the midline by a median
cricothyroid ligament5yaline cartilage
*ignet ring shape, only complete cartilage
*maller bt thicker and stronger than the thyroid cartilage lying
below it cm in height anteriorly, + cm in height posteriorly
forms the lower and posterior parts of the wall of the larynx
articlates with the thyroid'inferior horn( and arytenoid
cartilages.consists of two parts:
. +osterior ,%adrate lamina
. Anterior ar*h
E+iglotti* CartilageFi$roelasti* *artilageLeaf-li#estrctrecomposed primarily ofelastic cartilage;when yo swallow, the epiglottisco"ers the laryngeal inletpre"enting aspiration
Mcosa:
1nt