Laryngeal Framework

Laryngeal Framework

1. Biological Function

   • protect lower respiratory tract
   • build intra-abdominal pressure: lifting, defecation, urination, and child birth

2. "Non" Biological Function

   • sound generator: crying, laughing, screaming, speaking, singing

3. Skeletal Superstructure

   • 3 unpaired cartilage
     • cricoid cartilage
       • location- superior to uppermost tracheal ring
         • attached to trachea via cricotracheal membrane
       • features: signet ring shape
       • cricoid lamina
         • upper esophagus attachment
           • posterior cricoarytenoid muscle origin
             • facets for arytenoid cartilages
               • arch of cricoid cartilage- facets for inferior cornu of thyroid cartilage
     • thyroid cartilage
       • location- superior to cricoid cartilage, attached via ligaments to cricoid cartilage
         • features- largest laryngeal cartilage, shield shape
     • epiglottis
       • location- posterior to hyoid bone
         • attachments to: thyroid cartilage via thyroepiglottic ligament, hyoid bone via hypo epiglottic ligament
           • interactions between these two aid in swallowing
             • features- leaf like shape, anterior surface attached to root of tongue via median and lateral glossoepiglottic ligaments
               • Valleculae
                 • between epiglottis and root of tongue
                 • either side of median gloss epiglottic fold
                 • help prevent aspiration during swallowing
   • paired cartilage
     • arytenoid cartilages
       • location- lamina of cricoid cartilage
         • features- paired tetrahedral cartilages (Base, apex, 3 surfaces), muscular process, vocal processes
     • corniculate
       • location- atop apexes of arytenoid cartilages
         • features- paired, horn-shaped, elastic cartilages. No know function
     • Cuneifrom
       • location- embedded within aryepiglottic folds. Anterior and lateral to corniculate cartilages
         • features- paired, wedge shaped, elastic cartilages. Provide support to aryepiglottic folds
   • hyoid bone
     • location- 3rd level of vertebrae
       • features- u-shaped, not attached to any other bone
         • attachments- root of tongue, supra and infra hyoid muscles
           • form sling with hyoid bone