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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