Dominic Stone
The larynx, derived from the Ancient Greek word for 'gullet', is a triangle-shaped structure in the neck that is largely made up of cartilages connected by muscles and fibrous and elastic tissue. The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles. The intrinsic laryngeal muscles are responsible for controlling sound production by adjusting the tension, length, and position of the vocal cords. They also control the shape of the rima glottidis, the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages. The extrinsic muscles, on the other hand, act to move the larynx superiorly and inferiorly, playing a role in swallowing and breathing.
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What You'll Learn
The larynx is comprised of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles
The extrinsic muscles, also referred to as the strap muscles, act to raise, lower, or stabilise the larynx but have their origins elsewhere in the neck. They are comprised of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid groups and the stylopharyngeus (a muscle of the pharynx). The supra- and infrahyoid muscle groups attach to the hyoid bone, which is the only bone in the larynx. This, in turn, is bound to the larynx by strong ligaments, allowing the whole of the larynx to be moved as one unit. The suprahyoid muscles and the stylopharyngeus elevate the larynx, while the infrahyoid muscles depress the larynx. The extrinsic musculature innervation divides between the vagus nerve and the cervical rootlets.
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Intrinsic muscles control sound production by adjusting vocal cords
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a highly specialised structure atop the windpipe. It is responsible for sound production, air passage during breathing, and protecting the airway from food and water during swallowing. The intrinsic laryngeal muscles are responsible for controlling sound production by adjusting the tension, length, and position of the vocal cords.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles are confined within the larynx and act on the individual components of the larynx. They control the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages) and the length and tension of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are the main vibratory component of the voice box and are composed of a cover (epithelium and superficial lamina propria), vocal ligament (intermediate and deep laminae propria), and body (thyroarytenoid muscle).
The thyroarytenoid muscles form the body of the vocal folds themselves. They shorten the vocal folds by pulling the arytenoid (back) end of the vocal folds towards the thyroid (front) end. This shortens the vocal folds and causes them to vibrate more slowly, resulting in a lower pitch. The thyroarytenoid muscles also help to strengthen glottic closure by bringing the vocal folds together and keeping them together to resist the airstream from the lungs.
The cricothyroid muscles, on the other hand, are vocal fold lengtheners. They lengthen and tighten the vocal folds by pulling the thyroid cartilage down and forward, increasing the distance between the arytenoids and the thyroid notch (Adam's Apple). This causes the vocal folds to vibrate faster, resulting in a higher pitch.
The interarytenoids also play a role in adjusting the vocal cords. There are two sets of interarytenoid muscles: the transverse arytenoids and the oblique arytenoids. These muscles help to bring the vocal folds together and keep them closed during swallowing or sound production.
In summary, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles control sound production by adjusting the tension, length, and position of the vocal cords through the action of muscles such as the thyroarytenoid, cricothyroid, and interarytenoid muscles.
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Extrinsic muscles act to move the larynx up and down
The larynx, also known as the 'gullet' or 'throat', is a triangle-shaped structure that is largely made up of cartilages. These cartilages are attached to one another, and to surrounding structures, by muscles or fibrous and elastic tissue components. The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: the extrinsic (or external) muscles and the intrinsic (or internal) muscles.
The extrinsic muscles act to move the larynx superiorly and inferiorly, or up and down. They are comprised of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid groups, and the stylopharyngeus (a muscle of the pharynx). The hyoid is the only bone in the larynx, and articulates with many extrinsic laryngeal muscles. The anterior prominence of the thyroid cartilage is a notable external landmark of the larynx. The larynx is divided into the supraglottis, glottis, and subglottis. The extrinsic musculature innervation divides between the vagus nerve and the cervical rootlets.
In contrast, the intrinsic muscles are confined within the larynx and act on its individual components. They control the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages), and the length and tension of the vocal folds. The intrinsic muscles are primarily responsible for controlling sound production by adjusting the vocal cords' tension, length, and position. The primary intrinsic muscles include the cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, lateral and posterior cricoarytenoid, and interarytenoid muscles. All the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except the cricothyroid) are innervated by the inferior laryngeal nerve – the terminal branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, itself a branch of the vagus nerve.
Bilateral injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve would cause the vocal folds to weaken airflow, resulting in breathing problems, snoring sounds, stridor, and fast physical exhaustion. Injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve would result in paralysis of the cricothyroid muscle, leading to dysphonia or an alteration in sound pitch.
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Laryngeal muscles control respiration by adjusting airflow resistance
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a triangle-shaped structure made up of cartilages connected by muscles, fibrous tissue, and elastic tissue. The larynx is an important organ for respiration, as it serves as a passage for air to flow from the upper airway to the trachea and eventually the lungs. The laryngeal muscles play a crucial role in controlling respiration by adjusting airflow resistance.
The muscles of the larynx can be classified into two main groups: the extrinsic muscles and the intrinsic muscles. The extrinsic muscles act to move the larynx superiorly and inferiorly, and they include the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups, as well as the stylopharyngeus muscle of the pharynx. These muscles are responsible for elevating or depressing the larynx during swallowing, but they do not directly influence airflow resistance.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles, on the other hand, act on the individual components of the larynx, such as the vocal cords, arytenoid cartilages, and vestibular folds. These muscles control the shape of the rima glottidis, which is the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages. They also regulate the length and tension of the vocal folds. By adjusting the position and tension of these structures, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles can modulate airflow resistance during respiration.
During inspiration, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles, particularly the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, contract to widen the glottic opening and decrease resistance to airflow. This facilitates air entry into the lungs. Conversely, during expiration, the vocal folds partially close through the action of the thyroarytenoid muscle, a laryngeal adductor. This partial closure increases resistance to airflow out of the lungs, assisting in braking the expiratory airflow and reducing the load on the chest wall muscles.
The activity of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles is finely controlled by the brainstem systems for respiration and swallowing. The respiratory drive influences the activation of these muscles, with hypercapnia (increased CO2 levels) leading to increased activity of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle during inspiration and the thyroarytenoid muscle during expiration. This response helps maintain alveolar expansion and regulate airflow.
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Laryngeal paralysis can impede respiration in mammals
The larynx, commonly known as the 'voice box', is a box-like structure that connects the throat to the windpipe (trachea). It is comprised of various plates of cartilage known as 'Arytenoid Cartilages', which house the vocal cords. The larynx is surrounded and supported by muscles called 'Laryngeal muscles'. These muscles can be divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles. The external muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing. In contrast, the internal muscles act to move the individual components of the larynx, playing a vital role in breathing and phonation. The intrinsic laryngeal muscles control the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages) and the length and tension of the vocal folds. They are responsible for controlling sound production by adjusting the vocal cords' tension, length, and position.
Laryngeal paralysis is a disease that affects the larynx, causing difficulty breathing. It occurs when the nerves inside the laryngeal muscles become weak or paralysed, leading to muscle relaxation and collapse of the cartilages inwards. This condition can arise from a variety of factors, including trauma to the throat or neck, tumours or lesions in the neck or chest area, endocrine diseases, and congenital conditions. Laryngeal paralysis is most commonly observed in older, large-breed dogs, but it can occur in various dog breeds and even other mammals. The condition may initially present as mild symptoms, such as coughing, noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, excessive panting, and changes in bark sound (dysphonia). However, it can progressively worsen over time, leading to respiratory distress and even collapse in severe cases.
The treatment options for laryngeal paralysis depend on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can be managed conservatively with medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and sedatives. Surgery is often recommended for more severe cases to improve breathing and quality of life, even though it does not cure the larynx's function. The most common surgical procedure is called a "tie-back" procedure, which helps open the larynx. While surgery can improve breathing and overall quality of life, it does not cure the underlying condition. Therefore, lifelong monitoring and management are necessary for laryngeal paralysis.
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