rior
margin of the inlet of the larynx.
- Its broad superior end is free, and its tapered inferior end is attached to the
thyroepiglottic ligament, located in the angle formed by the thyroid laminae.
- The anterior surface of the epiglottic cartilage is attached to the hyoid bone by the hyoepiglottic ligament.
- The inferior part of the posterior surface of the epiglottic cartilage that projects
posteriorly is called the epiglottic tubercle.
Joints of the Larynx
The Cricothyroid Joints (p.
- These articulations are located between the facets on the lateral surfaces of the
cricoid cartilage and the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage.
- Each joint has a fibrous capsule, which is lined by a synovial membrane.
- The main movements at these joints are rotating and gliding of the thyroid cartilage.
- These movements result in the change in the length of the vocal folds.
- They also slacken or tighten the vocal ligaments, which pass between the arytenoid
cartilages and the thyroid cartilage.
The Cricoarytenoid Joints
- These articulations are located between the bases of the arytenoid cartilages and the
superior sloping surfaces of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage.
- These joints permit the following movements of the arytenoid cartilages: (1) sliding
toward or away from one another; (2) tilting anteriorly and posteriorly; and (3) rotary
- These movements are important in approximating, tensing, and relaxing the vocal folds.
Ligaments and Membranes
The Thyrohyoid Membrane (p.
- This is an extrinsic membrane that connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone,
thereby suspending the larynx.
- It is separated from the posterior surface of the body of the hyoid by a bursa.
- Its thicker median part is called the medial thyrohyoid ligament
and its thickened lateral parts are called the lateral thyrohyoid
- The lateral ligaments connect the tips of the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage to
the tips of the greater horn of the hyoid bone.
Cricothyroid and Cricotracheal Ligaments (p. 841)
- These ligaments connect the arch of the cricoid cartilage with the thyroid cartilage and
the first tracheal ring, respectively.
- The fibrous medial cricothyroid ligament produces a
soft spot inferior to the thyroid cartilage. At this point, the airway is closest to the
skin and most accessible.
Vocal Ligament, Vocal Fold, and Conus Elasticus (p. 842)
- The elastic vocal ligament extends from the junction of
the laminae of the thyroid cartilage anteriorly to the vocal process of the arytenoid
- The vocal ligaments form the skeleton of the vocal fold
and the free edge of the conus elasticus (cricothyroid
ligament), which is an elastic membrane that extends superiorly from the cricoid cartilage
to the vocal ligament.
- Note: cricothyroid ligament or membrane = cricovocal ligament = 1/2 conus elasticus (Grant's
Method of Anatomy 8th Ed).
Quadrangular Membrane and Vestibular Ligament (p. 842)
- This is a thin, submucosal sheet of connective tissue.
- It extends from the arytenoid cartilage to the cartilage of the epiglottis.
- Its free inferior margin constitutes the vestibular ligament,
which is loosely covered by a vestibular fold of mucous
- This fold lies superior to the vocal fold and extends from the thyroid cartilage to the
- The cricothyroid ligament and quadrangular membrane, although separated by the interval
between the vocal and vestibular ligaments, are referred to as the fibroelastic
membrane of the larynx.
Ligaments of the
Epiglottis (p. 842)
- The epiglottis is attached to the hyoid bone by the hyoepiglottic ligament.
- To the posterior part of the tongue by the median glossoepiglottic fold.
- To the sides of the pharynx by the lateral glossoepiglottic folds.
- To the thyroid cartilage by the thyroepiglottic ligament.
- The mucous membrane covering the epiglottis is reflected to the posterior part of the
tongue as one medial and two lateral glossoepiglottic folds.
Between these folds are depressions called epiglottic valleculae.
The Interior of the
- The cavity of the larynx extends from the inlet of the larynx,
through whi