The organ in the throat responsible for voice production, commonly called the voice-box. The larynx lies between the pharynx and the trachea. It
consists of areas of cartilage, the largest of which is the thyroid cartilage that projects to form the Adam’s apple. Below it are the cricoid cartilage and the 2 pyramid-shaped arytenoid cartilages.
Inside the larynx are 2 fibrous sheets of tissue, the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce vocal sounds when air from the lungs passes through them. These vibrations are modified by the tongue, mouth, and lips to produce speech.
Attached to the top of the thyroid cartilage is the epiglottis, a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that drops over the larynx to prevent food from entering the trachea when swallowing.
The organ of voice which also forms one of the higher parts of the AIR PASSAGES. It is placed high up in the front of the neck and there forms a considerable prominence on the surface (Adam’s apple). The vocal cords vibrating in di?erent notes, according to their tenseness and the like, produce the sounds of VOICE AND SPEECH.
n. the organ responsible for the production of vocal sounds, also serving as an air passage conveying air from the pharynx to the lungs. It is situated in the front of the neck, above the trachea. It is made up of a framework of nine cartilages (see illustration) – the epiglottis, thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid (two), corniculate (two), and cuneiform (two) – bound together by ligaments and muscles and lined with mucous membrane. Within are a pair of *vocal folds, which function in the production of voice. —laryngeal adj.
Obstruction of the larynx is potentially dangerous in adults but can sometimes be life-threatening in infants and children. Stridor – noisy, di?cult breathing – is a symptom of obstruction. There are several causes, including congenital abnormalities of the larynx. Others are in?ammatory conditions such as acute laryngitis (see below), acute EPIGLOTTITIS and laryngo-tracheo-bronchitis (croup – see below); neurological abnormalities; trauma; and inhalation of foreign bodies.
Laryngitis In?ammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal chords may be acute or chronic. The cause is usually an infection, most commonly viral, although it may be the result of secondary bacterial infection, voice abuse or irritation by gases or chemicals. ACUTE LARYNGITIS may accompany any form of upper-respiratory-tract infection. The main symptom is hoarseness and often pain in the throat. The voice becomes husky or it may be lost. Cough, breathing diffculties and sometimes stridor may occur. Acute airway obstruction is unusual following laryngitis but may occasionally occur in infants (see laryngotracheo-bronchitis, below).
Treatment Vapour inhalations may be soothing and reduce swelling. Usually all that is needed is rest and analgesics such as paracetamol. Rarely, airway intervention – either ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION or TRACHEOSTOMY – may be necessary if severe airway obstruction develops (see APPENDIX 1: BASIC FIRST AID). A?ected patients should rest their voice and avoid smoking.
Chronic laryngitis can result from repeated attacks of acute laryngitis; excessive use of the voice – loud and prolonged, singing or shouting; tumours, which may be benign or malignant; or secondary to diseases such as TUBERCULOSIS and SYPHILIS.
Benign tumours or small nodules, such as singer’s nodules, may be surgically removed by direct laryngoscopy under general anaesthetic; while cancer of the larynx may be treated either by RADIOTHERAPY or by SURGERY, depending on the extent of the disease. Hoarseness may be the only symptom of vocal-chord disturbance or of laryngeal cancer: any case which has lasted for six weeks should be referred for a specialist opinion.
Laryngectomy clubs are being established
A laryngoscopic view of the interior of the larynx.
throughout the country to support patients following laryngectomy. Speech therapists provide speech rehabilitation.... larynx, disorders of
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