Nasal and Oral cavities

The Larynx
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From page 172 The larynx is the superior aspect of the lower respiratory system. The larynx serves to conduct air into the lower respiratory tract and to produce sound. If you were to palpate the neck for the larynx, you would find the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) just inferior to the hyoid bone. The laryngeal prominence is the center of the U shaped thyroid cartilage which makes up the anterior and lateral walls of the larynx. The thyroid cartilage is attached to the hyoid bone by both the thyroid membrane and the thyrohyoid muscle. When the thyrohyoid contracts, it lifts the entire larynx up towards the hyoid bone; this action causes the epiglottis to close. The circular cricoid cartilage makes up the inferior portion of the larynx and it is attached to the thyroid cartilage by the cricothyroid ligament. The cricoid cartilage connects the larynx to the trachea. The posterior view of the larynx shows more structures. First of all, you can see that that is thyroid cartilage indeed a U shape with no posterior wall. Attached to the thyroid cartilage is the epiglottis which is made out of elastic cartilage. When the thyroid cartilage moves superiorly towards the hyoid bone, the epiglottis closes over the vocal folds and the glottis, which is essentially the space between the vocal folds. The arytenoids cartilage is rests on the cricoid cartilage and 2 pairs of ligaments, called the vocal folds, extend from the arytenoids cartilage to the thyroid cartilage. Adductor and abductor muscles are attached to the arytenoids cartilage. These muscles cause the arytenoids cartilage to rotate medially or laterally. This movement causes the vocal folds to either abduct (open) or adduct (close). Air moving through the vocal folds causes them to vibrate and produce a sound. Depending on the tension, different pitches (frequencies) are produced.

From page 172

The larynx is the superior aspect of the lower respiratory system. The larynx serves to conduct air into the lower respiratory tract and to produce sound. If you were to palpate the neck for the larynx, you would find the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) just inferior to the hyoid bone. The laryngeal prominence is the center of the U shaped thyroid cartilage which makes up the anterior and lateral walls of the larynx. The thyroid cartilage is attached to the hyoid bone by both the thyroid membrane and the thyrohyoid muscle. When the thyrohyoid contracts, it lifts the entire larynx up towards the hyoid bone; this action causes the epiglottis to close. The circular cricoid cartilage makes up the inferior portion of the larynx and it is attached to the thyroid cartilage by the cricothyroid ligament. The cricoid cartilage connects the larynx to the trachea. The posterior view of the larynx shows more structures. First of all, you can see that that is thyroid cartilage indeed a U shape with no posterior wall. Attached to the thyroid cartilage is the epiglottis which is made out of elastic cartilage. When the thyroid cartilage moves superiorly towards the hyoid bone, the epiglottis closes over the vocal folds and the glottis, which is essentially the space between the vocal folds. The arytenoids cartilage is rests on the cricoid cartilage and 2 pairs of ligaments, called the vocal folds, extend from the arytenoids cartilage to the thyroid cartilage. Adductor and abductor muscles are attached to the arytenoids cartilage. These muscles cause the arytenoids cartilage to rotate medially or laterally. This movement causes the vocal folds to either abduct (open) or adduct (close). Air moving through the vocal folds causes them to vibrate and produce a sound. Depending on the tension, different pitches (frequencies) are produced.

The Larynx

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