Anatomy of

The Larynx

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

By:

Dr. Kamal Motawei

Larynx (voice box)

• Why! :

– Sphincter action

– Voice production

• Where!

In the upper part of the

front of the neck.

Opposite C3-C6.

It opens into the

laryngopharynx and is

continuous with the

trachea

Relations of the larynx

• Anterior: – Skin

– Infrahyoid muscles

– Pyramidal lobe of thyroid

• Lateral: – Great vessels of the

neck

– Thyroid lobe

• Posterior: – laryngopharynx

Structure of the Larynx

• The larynx is made up

of:

– Cartilages

– Ligaments &

membranes

– Muscles

– Mucous membrane

– It has nerves & blood

vessels

Cartilages of the Larynx

• Single:

– Epiglottis

– Thyroid

– Cricoid

• Paired:

– Arytenoids

– Corniculates

– Cuneiforms

Cartilages of the larynx

Cartilages of the larynx

Cartilages of the larynx

Cartilages of the larynx

Cartilages of the larynx

Membranes & Ligaments

• Thyrohyoid membrane

• Median & Lateral

thyrohyoid ligaments

• Fibroelastic membrane:

– Upper part: Quadrangular

membrane. Its lower border

forms the vestibular

ligaments

– Lower part: cricothyroid

ligament. Its upper border

forms the vocal ligaments

• Aryepiglottic folds

Inlet

It is directed backwards and upwards into the hypopharynx

• Boundaries:

– Epiglottis: infront

– Aryepiglottic folds:

sides

– Arytenoids &

interarytenoid fold:

behibd

• Valliculae

• Piriform fossae

Cavity of the larynx

• Upper part of the

cavity (Vestibule)

• Middle part:

- Rima vestibuli

- Sinuses and

saccules of the

larynx

-Rima glottidis

• Lower part