The cartilages of the larynx are connected by several membranes. They include the thyrohyoid, cricothyroid and quarangular membranes. Thyrohyoid membrane The thyrohyoid membrane passes between the upper border of the thyroid cartilage and the upper border of the posterior surface of the hyoid bone. In the midline, it is thickened as the median thyrohyoid ligament. At the posterior edges are the lateral thyrohyoid ligaments, which … Continue reading Laryngeal membranes

The laryngeal skeleton comprises of 5 main cartilages: the cricoid, thyroid, epiglottis and the paired arytenoids. Epiglottis The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped elastic cartilage deep to the body of the hyoid. It never calcifies, unlike the other cartilages that are made of hyaline cartilage which can even ossify in old age. The stem of the “leaf” points inferiorly while the tip rises approximately 1cm above … Continue reading Laryngeal skeleton

The intrinsic muscles of the larynx can be divided into three groups based on on their actions. All are innerveated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, except for cricothyroid which is innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (all branches of CN X) Laryngeal inlet muscles The inlet of the larynx is closed by aryepiglotticus, which runs in the aryepiglottic folds of the … Continue reading Intrinsic laryngeal muscles

Vessels of the larynx The larynx is supplied by the superior (branch of external carotid artery) and inferior thyroid arteries (branch of thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery respectively) above and below the vocal cords. Venous drainage occurs in the correspondingly named veins (ultimately draining into the brachiocephalic vein). Lymphatic drainage goes to the deep cervical lymph nodes. Nerves of the larynx Sensation to the mucous membrane … Continue reading Larynx vessels & nerves

The larynx (voice box) is the modified part of the respiratory tract sitting above the trachea and suspended from the hyoid bone. It consists of several cartilages that form the laryngeal skeleton, connected by the laryngeal membranes. Its main functions are: A protective sphincter for the rest of the airway Phonation (speech generation), involving modifying airflow through the vocal cords controlled by the intrinsic muscles … Continue reading Larynx