Larynx
Appreciation of its anatomical location as being inferior to hyoid and blending with the trachea at C6 vertebral level
Skeletal framework
- Appreciation that the skeleton comprises single & paired cartilages, joints, ligaments and membranes
- Cartilages: the names and relative locations to neighbours of the thyroid, cricoid, epiglottic & arytenoid cartilages - larynx broad anatomy
- Joints: the cricothyroid & cricoarytenoid joints as the two prime laryngeal joints effecting normal function
- Membranes & ligaments: a series of membranes contribute to laryngeal structure
- Cricothyroid membrane (conus elasticus): surface marking and role in emergency airway management → Cricothyroidotomy
Laryngeal muscles
- Appreciation that the musculature is functionally divided into intrinsic & extrinsic groups; the role of each group
Intrinsic muscles
- Appreciation that these muscles alter the size & shape of the inlet and also move the vocal folds
- A detailed knowledge of individual muscle names (eg thyroepiglottic, transverse arytenoid) and actions is not required
- Intrinsic laryngeal movements