Embedded Files
The larynx contains ligaments and membranes which function in forming a single fibrocartilaginous structure by connecting the cartilages together. Moreover, these structures, especially the membranes, comprise the larynx's functional and moving parts. These membranes fold over and enclose cartilages and membranes too.
According to Barnes (2019), the inner larynx has a tube-like space caused by the unique adjustable constriction of the larynx. Posteriorly, there are vocal fold bands of mucous membranes that attach to the arytenoid to enable adduction and abduction to occur. These bands also control the airflow.
The laryngeal membranes serve as attachments. These attachments allow the air to go to the medial point. The laryngeal membranes are covered by wet and smooth mucous membranes and have a smooth aerodynamic surface.
Like other structures, the ligaments and membranes can also be divided into two: the extrinsic and intrinsic.
The extrinsic ligaments provide laryngeal attachment to external structures (hyoid bone) while intrinsic ligaments simply connect laryngeal cartilages to structures located within the larynx.
EXTRINSIC LIGAMENTS AND MEMBRANES
The extrinsic ligaments and membranes are as follows:
THYROHYOID MEMBRANE - This membrane is a wide, fibrous sheet of tissue that serves as the connection between the hyoid bone and the thyroid cartilage. According to Saran et al. (2021), its thickened areas comprise the median and the inner thyrohyoid ligaments. It is pierced by the internal laryngeal artery and internal laryngeal nerve.
LATERAL THYROID LIGAMENT - This ligament is situated from the superior portion of the cartilage to the hyoid's posterior tip.
TRITICEAL CARTILAGE - This cartilage runs anteriorly from the hyoid's corpus to the superior of the anterior border of the anterior thyroid cartilage.
THYROEPIGLOTTIC LIGAMENT - This ligament is considered as an inferior structure since it works inferiorly. It attaches the epiglottis to the thyroid cartilage's inner surface below the thyroid notch.
HYOEPIGLOTTIC LIGAMENT - The hyoepiglottic ligament is a thin, elastic tissue that protects the supraglottic larynx and attaches the anterior surface of the epiglottis to the hyoid's corpus.
CRICOTRACHEAL LIGAMENT - This serves as the point of attachment of the larynx and trachea.
LATERAL AND MEDIAL GLOSSOEPIGLOTTIC LIGAMENTS - (glosso = tongue); The epiglottis is attached to the tongue. It is covered by a mucous membrane forms a vallecula
The laryngeal ligaments and membranes.
Source:https://teachmeanatomy.info/neck/viscera/larynx/ligaments-folds/
INTRINSIC LIGAMENTS
As mentioned earlier, the intrinsic ligaments connect the laryngeal cartilages to the structures within the larynx.
The following are the intrinsic ligaments:
QUADRANGULAR MEMBRANE - This is a thin connective tissue that extends between the anterolateral margins of the arytenoid cartilages and the lateral borders of the epiglottis. This contains a free upper margin and lower margin that thickens to become the vestibular ligament.
The quadrangular membrane contains the following:
ARYEPIGLOTTIC MEMBRANE - This is the free upper margin of the quadrangular membrane. This is enclosed in mucosal folds to create the aryepiglottic folds. The corniculate and cuneiform cartilages reinforce this to its posterior position.
VESTIBULAR LIGAMENT - This is the quadrangular membrane's lower margin that thickens to form the vestibular folds (false vocal folds). These extend from the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilages.
CRICOTHYROID LIGAMENT - This extends superiorly from the cricoid cartilage to a free (unattached) upper margin that forms the vocal ligament.
REFERENCES:
Barnes, S. (2019). Laryngeal Ligaments and Folds - Vocal - Vestibular - TeachMeAnatomy. TeachMeAnatomy. https://teachmeanatomy.info/neck/viscera/larynx/ligaments-folds/
Fuller, D. R., Pimentel, J. T., & Peregoy, B. M. (2012). Applied anatomy & physiology for speech-language pathology & audiology. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
Saran, M., Georgakopoulos, B., & Bordoni, B. (2021). Anatomy, Head and Neck, Larynx Vocal Cords. PubMed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535342/
Seikel, J. A., Drumright, D. G., & Seikel, P. (2013). Essentials of anatomy & physiology for communication disorders. Delmar Cengage Learning.
Page updated
Report abuse