ANATOMY OF PHONATION

I.

TOUR OF THE PHONATORY MECHANISM

Phonation - voicing, is the product of vibrating vocal folds, which occurs in the larynx.
A. Framework of the Larynx
o Larynx - musculocartilaginous structure located at the superior end of the trachea.
- comprised of three unpaired and three paired cartilages (cricoid, thyroid
and epiglottis) bound by ligaments and lined with mucous membrane.
Cricoid Cartilage ring form

rests on top of trachea

the most inferior of the laryngeal
cartilages.
Thyroid Cartilage
-largest laryngeal cartilage
- articulates with the cricoid
cartilage below by paired
processes that let it
rock forward and backward at the
joint.
Epiglottis Cartilages leaflike
serves as protective structure
cartilage
and
drops to cover the orifice of larynx
during swallowing
Arytenoid Cartilage ladle form - sits on top of cricoid cartilage
- forms posterior attachment of the
vocal folds
Corniculate Cartilage
- rest on the upper surface of the
arytenoids
Cuneiform Cartilage
- residing within the aryepiglotic folds,
provides a degree of rigidity to the
folds. (rigidity = cannot be bent
easily, stiff)
The cricoid and thyroid cartilages articulate at the cricothyroid
joint
The thyroid and arytenoid articulate with a joint that permits a
wide range of arytenoid motion.
Inner Larynx combination of the cartilages, trachea and the airway above the
larynx that
all forms the rough tubelike space with a constriction caused by the
cartilages.
- What makes this construction unique is that it is an adjustable
constriction.
Because the vocal folds are made up of bands of mucous
membrane, connective tissue and thyrovocalis muscle that are
slung between the arytenoid cartilages and the thyroid cartilage,
they may be moved into and out of the airstream.
In addition, the muscles attached to the arytenoids provide both
adductory & abductory functions that it controls the degree of
airflow by means of contraction.

Larnygeal Membranes
Cavity of the Larnyx is a constricted tube with a smooth surface wherein

sheets and cords of ligaments connect the cartilages and mucus membrane lines

the entire area.

Extrinsic Ligaments provide attachment between hyoid, trachea & cartilage of

larynx

Covers the space between the hyoid bone

and the thyroid
Lateral Thyrohyoid Ligament Connects the larynx and the hyoid bone
Median Thyrohyoid Ligament
Attaches epiglottis to corpus hyoid
Hyoepiglottic Ligament

Thyroepiglottic Ligament

Lateral Glossoepiglottic

Attaches epiglottis to inner thyroid cartilage

Serves as epiglottic attachment to the tongue.

Ligament

Overlays of the mucus membrane in these

Thyrohoid Membrane

Medial Glossoepiglottic

ligaments

Ligament

produces little valleys or valleculae found

between the tongue and epiglottis.

Cricotracheal Ligament

Attaches trachea to the larynx.

Intrinsic Ligaments - connect the cartilages of the larynx and form the
support structure for the cavity of the larynx, as well as that of the vocal folds.
Fibroelastic Membrane of the larynx is composed of the:
Upper quadrangular
membranes
right angled
aryepiglottic muscles

lower conus elasticus

vocal ligament

pyriform sinus

undergirding layer of connective

tissue running from the
arytenoids to the epiglottis and
thyroid cartilage
forms the false vocal folds.
- course from the side of the
epiglottis to the arytenoid apex.
- Forms the upper margin of the
quadrangular membranes and the
aryepiglottic folds laterally.
- elastic cone
the upward free extension of the
conus elasticus
the space between the fold of the
aryepiglottic membrane and the
thyroid cartilage laterally
- marks an important point of transit
for food and liquid during a swallow.

Fine Structure of the Vocal Folds

o 5 Layers of the Vocal Folds

1. Layer of Squamous Epithelium

- most superficial
- protective layer of squamous epithelium,
approximately 0.1 mm thick, with an
underlying layer of basement membrane to
bind it to the next layer.
- gives the vocal folds the glistening white
appearance seen during laryngoscopic
examination.
- protective layer aids in keeping the delicate
tissues of the vocal folds moist by assisting in
fluid retention.

2. Superficial Lamina Propria (SLP)

3. Intermediate Lamina Propria (ILP)

- Approximately 12 mm thick and is also

composed of elastin fibers running in an
anterior-posterior direction, making them
cross-layered with the SLP.
- SLP + ILP combination provides both
elasticity and strength.
- approximately 12 mm thick and primarily
supportive, being made up of collagen fibers
that prohibit extension.
- ILP + DLP combine to make the vocal
ligament.

4. Deep Lamina Propria (DLP)

5. Thyroarytenoid Muscle
a. Thyrovocalis
b. Thyromuscularis

made up of elastin fibers, so named

because of their physical qualities that
allow them to be extensively stretched.
- cushions the vocal folds

- makes up the bulk of the vocal fold.

- active element of the vocal folds.
- passive element; consists of layers of lamina
propria that provide cushioning, strength &
elasticity.

Mucosal lining of the vocal folds is a combination of epithelial lining and the
first lamina propria layer.
The Vocal Ligament is composed of both elastin and collagen to give it a
degree of stiffness and support to the vocal folds.