Structure of the human larynx

Definition and anatomical location

The larynx is a part of the respiratory tract,It contains a voice apparatus and connects the pharynx with the trachea. The larynx connects to the hyoid bone with ligaments and is on the same level as the 4, 5 and 6 cervical vertebrae from the front side of the neck. It is a hollow organ, formed from a ligamentous apparatus, a cartilaginous skeleton and muscles. The structure of the larynx allows you to probe its individual parts, such as the male Adam's apple and the female cricoid cartilage. In its upper part there is an entrance in the form of a hole, here the larynx joins with the pharynx, and in the lower part it passes into the trachea. Near the larynx there are vascular-neural cervical fascicles, and on either side of it is the thyroid gland. In the human body, this organ is very important, because the larynx produces a voice. And it is also a transport hub for airflow into the lungs.

Cartilaginous skeleton

The structure of the larynx includes a variety ofstructure and shape of the cartilage. The cartilaginous skeleton, which is its skeleton, consists of several mobile cartilages, which are interconnected by mobile joints, membranes and ligaments. The structure of the larynx includes paired (small) and unpaired (large) cartilages.

The largest unpaired cartilage is called thyroid. There are two quadrangular plates in it, connected at an angle to each other, which is 45 ° for men and 120 ° for women. Two pairs of upper and lower horns branch from the rear parts of these plates. The main part of the larynx is the cricoid cartilage, facing forward in an arc, and backwards with a plate. The lower part of this cartilage is connected with the first ring of the trachea. With two pairs of joints, the cricoid cartilage is combined with the arytenoid and thyroid cartilages.

Further structure of the human larynx continuescoronoid cartilage. It is small in size and located on the top of the arytenoid cartilage. The elongated wedge-shaped cartilage does not have a constant shape and size, it is often in a rudimentary state. The larynx is covered with an epiglottis on top, and it, in turn, is connected to the sublingual-epiglottis and thyroid-ligated ligaments, and also to the thyroid cartilage.

Joints of larynx and sound reproduction

Hyaline ring-shaped cartilage is considered the basis of the larynx. For the mobility of the laryngeal cartilage ligaments and two joints are responsible:

1. Joint is transversely pubescent, it consists of articular surfaces on the front side of the cricoid cartilage and the lower part of the thyroid cartilage. The movement of this joint occurs along the frontal axis, at this time with contraction of the muscles the thyroid cartilage curves forward and returns back.

2. Perstnechertchepovidny joint is paired, it consists of articular surfaces, based on a plate of cricoid cartilage and on the basis of a cartilage of arytenoid. In this joint, the movement occurs along the vertical axis, the vocal processes, together with the vocal cords, alternately diverge and approach each other, thereby expanding and narrowing the vocal opening of the passageway.

Voice device

The structure of the larynx and pharynx is arranged so thatinside them is a voice device, a very important tool for a person. The vocal cords are attached to the arytenoid and thyroid cartilages. During the contraction of the throat muscles, the shape of the glottis and the degree of tension of the ligaments change. During inspiration, the vocal chords vibrate, thus vowel sounds are formed. Consonant sounds are obtained with the participation of the lips, tongue and palate, but the larynx can also take part in the formation of "swallowing" consonants. Most of the sounds, in contrast to the primates, a man says on exhalation.