SESSION 7 - Larynx And Trachea
1. Name three functions (apart from speech) when it is necessary to close the
vocal cords tightly.
2. How is the size of one's Adam's apple related to a characteristic of speech?
3. What structure articulates with the inferior horns (cornua) of the thyroid
cartilage and by what type of joint?
4. What ligaments connect the superior horns (cornua) of the thyroid cartilage to
the hyoid bone?
5. What are the names of the three processes of the arytenoid cartilages?
6. What two categories of movement occur between the arytenoid and cricoid
cartilages?
7. What type of cartilage is there in the epiglottis and what type of mucosa
covers the epiglottis?
8. The quadrangular membrane has three long edges. One attaches to the lateral
aspect of the epiglottis. What are the other two edges called?
9. The true vocal cords are the free upper edges of which membrane? Where is
the lower margin of this membrane attached?
10. What is the cavity that lies between the true and false cords? What further
structure opens into this cavity?
11. Why do you think the mucosa of this cavity is so richly supplied with mucous
glands?
12. The area defined by the upper epiglottis and the aryepiglottic folds is the
…….. to(of) the larynx whilst the area within the larynx but above the false
cords is the ……… of the larynx. The opening between the true cords is the
……… …………
13. Four distinct and essential actions take place during swallowing to prevent
food entering the larynx and respiratory passages. Can you name them?
14. The posterior crico-arytenoids open the cords. What are the two ways that they
act on the arytenoid cartilages?
15. Which two muscles counteract this opening effect?
16. What muscle loosens the cords and to what two structures is it attached to
achieve this?
17. Part of this muscle fails to reach one of these structures and instead inserts into
the cords along its length. Which muscle is this and what additional function
does it have?
18. The cricothyroid muscle is a bit special for the following reasons:
1. It is the only intrinsic muscle of the larynx that is situated …… …… ………
of the larynx.
2. It is the only muscle that ………….. the cords.
3. It is the only intrinsic muscle that is not supplied by the recurrent laryngeal
nerve but instead by the ……… branch of the ……… laryngeal nerve.
19. Although all these muscles are supplied by branches of the vagus, it is
believed that the cell bodies are in the nucleus ambiguus and leave in another
nerve other than the vagus. What nerve is this and how do the fibres reach the
vagus?
20. Which two nerves supply sensation to the larynx? Where does one stop and
the other begin? Is there any overlap?
21. Semon's law, although probably not entirely accurate, indicates the fate of the
cords in partial and complete damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. What
does it say happens to the cords in a bilateral complete transection of the
nerve? How does this differ from a bilateral partial lesion? Why should there
be a difference?
22. What is the effect on voice quality when there is damage to the nerve supply
to cricothyroid?
23. What are the "parent" vessels of the superior and inferior laryngeal arteries?
24. At C6 vertebral level the larynx becomes the ……….., the pharynx becomes
the ……….. and the vertebral arteries enter the ………..
25. What is the function of the trachealis muscle?
26. What lies in the groove between the trachea and oesophagus?
27. What type of mucosa lines the trachea?
28. Emergency access to the airways below the cords can be achieved by what
procedure that requires a minimum of a penknife and a biro casing? How
would you locate the site for the incision?
29. A formal tracheostomy requires an anaesthetic and careful positioning of the
patient on the operating table. Which rings of the trachea are incised to gain
access?
30. What is the carina?
31. Which parts of the autonomic nervous system cause dilatation and constriction
of the bronchi? Why would you want to dilate and constrict them?
32. Which arteries supply and which lymphatics drain the (a) upper and (b) lower
trachea?