Cartilage of larynx
CARTILAGES OF LARYNX
- Elastic cartilage are Found in inlet of larynx.
- Paired
- Unpaired
- Paired :
- Arytenoid
- Corniculate
- cunieform
2. Unpaired:
- Thyroid
- Cricoid
- Epiglottic
UNPAIRED
1. Thyroid Cartilage:
- Located anterior to the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae.
- It is a hyaline cartilage.
- Formed by 2 laminae which fuse ventrally in the midline of the neck, forming a protuberance, the laryngeal prominence or “Adam’s apple“.
- The 2 laminae meet at an angle of 90° in the male and 120° in the female.
- Largest of all laryngeal cartilage.
- Attaches to 3 muscle
- Sternothyroid,
- Thyrohyoid,and
- Thyropharyngeus (a portion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor).
2. Cricoid Cartilage:
- Only cartilage forming a complete ring.
- Shaped like a signet ring.
- Lies at the level of C6 vertebra.
- Cricoid is the narrowest part of infantile larynx
- The narrowest part of trachea in a newborn is at the level of cricoid
- The oesophgus commences at lower end of cricoid
- Almost pyramidal in shape, with 3 surfaces,a base, and an apex.
- Each triangle-shaped base articulates with the cricoid cartilage by way of a diarthrodial joint.
- Base has 2 processes:
- Anteromedially directed vocal process – vocal ligament is attached
- Short, broad, laterally projecting Muscular process – lateral and posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are attached.
3. Epiglottis
- Leaf-shaped (in adults)
- Omega shaped (in children)
- Lies above glottis.
PAIRED
1. Arytenoid Cartilage
- Pyramidal in shape.
- It has 3 surfaces
- Posterior surface —Transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles attach
- Medial surface – covered with mucous-secreting laryngeal mucosa.
- Anterolateral surface –insertion of thyroarytenoid muscle, Part of the vocalis muscle, and the vestibular ligament.
- The apex of the arytenoid cartilage supports the corniculate cartilage.
2. Corniculate Cartilages (of Santorini ):
- Small fibroelastic nodules that sit on the apices of the arytenoid cartilages.
- It has little functional importance in humans.
3. Cuneiform cartilage (OF WRISBERG)
- Rod-shaped (like ancient cuneiform script).
- Fibroelastic
- Situated in the aryepiglottic folds anterior to the corniculate cartilages, may be entirely absent.
Exam Question
- Cunieform & corniculate cartilage of larynx are elastic in nature
- Cricoid is the narrowest part of infantile larynx
- Elastic cartilage are Found in inlet of larynx
- Cricoid cartilage encircles the larynx
- Thyroid is a hyaline cartilage
- The oesophgus commences at lower end of cricoid
- The narrowest part of trachea in a newborn is at the level of cricoid
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