Anatomic.us > Respiratory System

Larynx

The Larynx commonly known as the Voice Box is an organ present in the neck of the human body. It controls pitch and volume of sound. The Larynx contains Vocal cords for Phonation (process through which vocal folds produce certain sounds).

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Larynx


ANATOMY

There are three paired and three unpaired cartilages that support the Larynx and forms its skeleton.

Unpaired Cartilages

  • Thyroid Cartilage; it forms Adam’s apple.

  • Cricoid Cartilage; forming the inferior wall of the Larynx, it is a ring of hyaline cartilage. To the top, it is attached to the trachea.

  • Epiglottis; spoon shaped piece of elastic cartilage. Due to the elevation of Larynx, Epiglottis move down and closes the Glottis.

 

Paired Cartilages

  • Arytenoid Cartilage; they are important as they affect the position and tension of Vocal folds.

  • Corniculate Cartilage; they are horn shaped elastic cartilages located at the apex of Arytenoid Cartilage.

  • Cuneiform Cartilage; they are club shaped elastic cartilage located anterior to Corniculate Cartilage.

 

MUSCLES

There are two types of muscles in Larynx; Intrinsic and Extrinsic.

Intrinsic Muscles

These muscles are responsible for controlling sound production. There are six Intrinsic Muscles that are as follows.

  • Cricothyroid Muscles

  • Posterior Cricoarytenoid Muscles

  • Lateral Cricoarytenoid Muscles

  • Transverse Arytenoid Muscles

  • Oblique Arytenoid Muscles

  • Thyroarytenoid Muscles

Extrinsic Muscles

These muscles support and position the Larynx within the Trachea. There are 11 muscles that are as follows.

  • Thyrohyoid Muscles

  • Sternothyroid Muscles

  • Omohyoid Muscles

  • Sternohyoid Muscles

  • Inferior Constrictor Muscles

  • Digastric Muscles

  • Stylohyoid Muscles

  • Mylohyoid Muscles

  • Geniohyoid Muscles

  • Hyoglossus Muscles

  • Genioglossus Muscles

 

INNERVATION

Branches of Vagus nerve innervate the Larynx on both sides. Cricothyroid Muscles are innervated by external branch of Superior Laryngeal Nerve. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve gives motor innervations to the rest of Larynx’s muscles.

 

FUNCTION

The main function of the Larynx is to generate sound and also manipulate the pitch and volume of the sound. It’s one of the most important functions is to protect. It prevents the entry of foreign objects in the lungs. Another important function of Larynx is the Abdominal Fixation in which lungs are filled with air to stiffen the Thorax so that helps in applying force for lifting.

 

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Some of the Larynx disorders are as follows.

  • Acute Laryngitis; inflammation or swelling due to common cold.

  • Presbylarynx; weak voice and restricted vocal range and stamina.

  • Two types of Larynx Cancers; Squamous cell Carcinoma and Verrucous Carcinoma.

  • Vocal Cord Paresis; weakness of one or both vocal folds.

  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux; condition in which acid from stomach irritates and burns Larynx.



ANATOMY

There are three paired and three unpaired cartilages that support the Larynx and forms its skeleton.

Unpaired Cartilages

  • Thyroid Cartilage; it forms Adam’s apple.

  • Cricoid Cartilage; forming the inferior wall of the Larynx, it is a ring of hyaline cartilage. To the top, it is attached to the trachea.

  • Epiglottis; spoon shaped piece of elastic cartilage. Due to the elevation of Larynx, Epiglottis move down and closes the Glottis.

 

Paired Cartilages

  • Arytenoid Cartilage; they are important as they affect the position and tension of Vocal folds.

  • Corniculate Cartilage; they are horn shaped elastic cartilages located at the apex of Arytenoid Cartilage.

  • Cuneiform Cartilage; they are club shaped elastic cartilage located anterior to Corniculate Cartilage.

 

MUSCLES

There are two types of muscles in Larynx; Intrinsic and Extrinsic.

Intrinsic Muscles

These muscles are responsible for controlling sound production. There are six Intrinsic Muscles that are as follows.

  • Cricothyroid Muscles

  • Posterior Cricoarytenoid Muscles

  • Lateral Cricoarytenoid Muscles

  • Transverse Arytenoid Muscles

  • Oblique Arytenoid Muscles

  • Thyroarytenoid Muscles

Extrinsic Muscles

These muscles support and position the Larynx within the Trachea. There are 11 muscles that are as follows.

  • Thyrohyoid Muscles

  • Sternothyroid Muscles

  • Omohyoid Muscles

  • Sternohyoid Muscles

  • Inferior Constrictor Muscles

  • Digastric Muscles

  • Stylohyoid Muscles

  • Mylohyoid Muscles

  • Geniohyoid Muscles

  • Hyoglossus Muscles

  • Genioglossus Muscles

 

INNERVATION

Branches of Vagus nerve innervate the Larynx on both sides. Cricothyroid Muscles are innervated by external branch of Superior Laryngeal Nerve. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve gives motor innervations to the rest of Larynx’s muscles.

 

FUNCTION

The main function of the Larynx is to generate sound and also manipulate the pitch and volume of the sound. It’s one of the most important functions is to protect. It prevents the entry of foreign objects in the lungs. Another important function of Larynx is the Abdominal Fixation in which lungs are filled with air to stiffen the Thorax so that helps in applying force for lifting.

 

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Some of the Larynx disorders are as follows.

  • Acute Laryngitis; inflammation or swelling due to common cold.

  • Presbylarynx; weak voice and restricted vocal range and stamina.

  • Two types of Larynx Cancers; Squamous cell Carcinoma and Verrucous Carcinoma.

  • Vocal Cord Paresis; weakness of one or both vocal folds.

  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux; condition in which acid from stomach irritates and burns Larynx.

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