Larynx - Ox

LARYNX (OX)

  • The larynx is a short musculo-cartilaginous tube, which connects the pharynx with the trachea. It is a valvular apparatus, which regulates the amount of air and is the organ of voice

  • It is situated partly between the two vertical rami of mandible and medial pterygoid muscles and partly between the two parotid salivary glands
  • It is related dorsally to pharynx and oesophagus; Ventrally to skin, fascia, sternothyrohyoideus and omohyoideus muscles; Laterally, to parotid and submaxillary salivary glands and medially pterygoid muscle, digastricus and stylohyoideus muscles
  • It is attached to the body and thyroid cornua of the hyoid bone and the pharynx
  • The cavity communicates above with the pharynx and behind with the trachea
  • The larynx is made up of a framework of cartilages connected by ligaments and moved by muscles and is lined internally by mucous membrane
  • The cartilages are cricoid, thyroid, arytenoid and epiglottis. Of these, the arytenoids are paired, and the others unpaired
Last modified: Friday, 16 December 2011, 1:22 PM