Larynx anatomy

Commonly called the voice box, the larynx is located on top of the neck and is essential for breathing, vocalizing, as well as ensuring food doesn’t get stuck in the trachea and cause choking. Sitting just in front of the It visibly moves up and down when people swallow. This part of the body can be subject to a number of significant medical conditions, including bacterial infection (laryngitis), laryngeal cancer, and vocal fold paralysis (VFP), which can seriously compromise function. SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images Anatomy Structure The larynx is a complex band of cartilage, ligament, and muscle as well as a mucous membrane. A hollow structure, it’s formed of three large sections of cartilage that are unpaired—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—as well as six smaller cartilages. Here’s a quick breakdown of the large cartilages: • Thyroid cartilage: This largest cartilage in the larynx composes the front and side portions of its structure. The right and left halves (laminae) fuse in the midline to create a projection forward—the laryngeal prominence, which is commonly known as the Adam’s apple. This structure is most prominent in post-pubescent males, and it sits just below the superior thyroid notch and just above the inferior thyroid notch, which is at the base of this cartilage. The rear sides of each of the lamina curl upwards into a superior horn, and downwards into a smaller, inferior horn. The former of these, as well as the upper margin ...

Your larynx is a hollow tube that connects your throat (pharynx) to the rest of your respiratory system. It helps you swallow safely and contains the vocal cords, so it’s often called the voice box. Certain conditions and behaviors can damage your larynx and your voice, but some strategies and specialists can help. Overview What is the larynx? Your larynx is part of your respiratory system. It’s a hollow tube that lets air pass from your throat ( Where is the larynx? Your larynx is inside the middle of your neck, at the level of the Adam’s apple. It’s located between your fourth to sixth cervical vertebrae (neck bones). Anatomy What is your larynx made of? Your larynx is made of: • The • • Membranes, which also help hold cartilage together. • What are the parts of the larynx? The anatomy of your larynx includes: • Epiglottis : This flap of skin covers the opening of your larynx. It keeps food and other particles from getting into your respiratory system. • False vocal cords: False vocal cords, or vestibular folds, close your larynx when you swallow so that food doesn’t go into your trachea and lungs. • Thyroid cartilage: This piece of cartilage on the front of your larynx is often called the Adam’s apple. • Vocal cords: Your vocal cords, or vocal folds, open, close and vibrate as air passes through to create sounds and speech. How long is the larynx? The larynx is about 2 inches long in adults. It’s smaller in women than in men. A larger larynx usually means a deeper voice...

Cartilages of the larynx Author: Alexandra Sieroslawska MD • Reviewer: Last reviewed: June 01, 2023 Reading time: 5 minutes The respiratory tract in the It surrounds and protects the vocal chords, as well as the entrance to the nine cartilages all together, three of them are paired and bilaterally symmetrical, while three remain unpaired and specifically placed for accurate function. This article will highlight each cartilage and its most relevant facts, so the reader can gain insight into this complex and detailed anatomical marvel. Synonyms: Cartilago thyreoidea This is the largest of the laryngeal cartilages and it is made of two smooth laminae of which the two lower thirds fuse in the midline, while the most superior third remains unfused and creates the laryngeal notch. The Adam’s apple due to the laryngeal prominence that is made because of the fused laminae. The cartilaginous superior and inferior horns are created by the projections of the posterior superior and inferior borders of the cartilage respectively. The thyrohyoid membrane connects the entire superior aspect of the cartilage to the hyoid bone. Epiglottic cartilage The epiglottic cartilage which is also known as the leaf. When oral contents are swallowed, it functions by closing over the laryngeal inlet (rima glottidis) or simply the glottis. Epiglottis: cadaveric image. When open, epiglottis makes the upper respiratory airways patent. It is situated between the hyoid bone and the dorsal part of the standi...

Upper digestive tract (sagittal view) The pharynx, more commonly known as the throat, is a 12-14 cm, or 5 inch, long tube extending behind the The functions of the pharynx are accomplished by In this page, we will learn more about the Key facts about the pharynx Muscles Pharyngeal constrictors: Superior, middle and inferior muscles Longitudinal muscles: Palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, stylopharyngeus Arteries Facial artery, lingual artery, maxillary artery (branches of external carotid artery) Nerves Pharyngeal plexus: receives branches of vagus nerve (CN X), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and maxillary nerve (CN V2) Parts of the pharynx labeled. Notice how the nasopharynx connects the oral and nasal cavities, allowing a person to breathe through the nose. Based on its anterior relations, the pharynx consists of three regions: • • Oropharynx - posterior to the oral cavity • Laryngopharynx - posterior to the larynx Pharyngeal constrictors and longitudinal muscles Attachments There are six pharynx muscles in total that can be divided into two groups: • Pharyngeal constrictors • • • • Longitudinal muscles • • • Key facts about the muscles of the pharynx Superior pharyngeal constrictor Origins: Pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe, posterior end of mylohyoid line of mandible Insertions: Pharyngeal tubercle on basilar part of occipital bone Middle pharyngeal constrictor Origins: Stylohyoid ligament, Greater and lesser horn of hyoid bone Insertions: Median pharyngeal...

The throat (pharynx and larynx) is a ring-like muscular tube that acts as the passageway for air, food and liquid. It is located behind the nose and mouth and connects the mouth (oral cavity) and nose to the breathing passages (trachea [windpipe] and lungs) and the esophagus (eating tube). The throat also helps in forming speech. The throat contains the: • Tonsils and adenoids — made up of lymph tissue. Tonsils are located at the back and sides of the mouth and adenoids are located behind the nose. They both help to fight infections. Removal of tonsils and adenoids, when necessary, will not reduce your child's ability to fight infections since there are many other tissues to perform that function. • Pharynx—is the muscle-lined space that connects the nose and mouth to the larynx and esophagus (eating tube). • Larynx—also known as the voice box, the larynx is a cylindrical grouping of cartilages, muscles and soft tissue that contains the vocal cords. The larynx is the upper opening into the windpipe (trachea), the passageway to the lungs. • Epiglottis—a flap of soft tissue and cartilage located just above the vocal cords. The epiglottis folds down over the vocal cords to help prevent food and irritants from entering the lungs. • Subglottic space—the space immediately below the vocal cords. It is the narrowest part of the upper airway Review d ate: April 2009 Reviewed by