Biomaterial Database

Ligaments of the larynx and the adjacent pharynx and esophagus. 1993

J F Bosma, and H Bartner

Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.

Two ligament systems of the larynx are demonstrated by dissection. The suspensory ligament of the esophagus is attached to the posterior aspect of the cricoid cartilage and is also a part of the fascial sheath which is common to the hyoid, thyroid, and cricoid. The ligaments at the inner margins of the vocal, ventricular, and aryepiglottic folds are distinctive in site and, inferentially, in function. The aryepiglottic ligaments join at the incisura between the arytenoid cartilages and are continued as the corniculopharyngeal ligament which splays into the flexible tissues in the anterior wall of the hypopharynx, posterior to the suspensory ligament of the esophagus. These ligament systems are involved in two different actions in swallow. The gross superior and anterior motions of the larynx are transmitted to the esophagus by the suspensory ligament, so that the esophagus is elevated in relation to the bolus and is also opened. These esophageal displacements resemble, in effect, the swallow displacements of the pharyngoesophageal segment and of the constrictor wall of the hypopharynx. The marginal ligaments of the laryngeal folds help to implement the constriction and closure of the larynx during swallow. By anatomical inference, the corniculopharyngeal ligament effects vertical traction within the flexible tissues of the anterior wall of the hypopharynx.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007013	Hypopharynx	The bottom portion of the pharynx situated below the OROPHARYNX and posterior to the LARYNX. The hypopharynx communicates with the larynx through the laryngeal inlet, and is also called laryngopharynx.	Laryngopharynx,Hypopharynges,Hypopharynxes,Laryngopharynges,Laryngopharynxes
D007817	Laryngeal Cartilages	The nine cartilages of the larynx, including the cricoid, thyroid and epiglottic, and two each of arytenoid, corniculate and cuneiform.	Cartilage, Laryngeal,Cartilages, Laryngeal,Laryngeal Cartilage
D007821	Laryngeal Muscles	The striated muscle groups which move the LARYNX as a whole or its parts, such as altering tension of the VOCAL CORDS, or size of the slit (RIMA GLOTTIDIS).	Cricothyroid Muscles,Aryepiglottic Muscle,Arytenoid Muscle,Cricoarytenoid Muscles,Thyroarytenoid Muscles,Thyroepiglottic Muscle,Vocal Muscle,Vocalis Muscle,Aryepiglottic Muscles,Arytenoid Muscles,Cricoarytenoid Muscle,Cricothyroid Muscle,Laryngeal Muscle,Muscle, Aryepiglottic,Muscle, Arytenoid,Muscle, Cricoarytenoid,Muscle, Cricothyroid,Muscle, Laryngeal,Muscle, Thyroarytenoid,Muscle, Thyroepiglottic,Muscle, Vocal,Muscle, Vocalis,Muscles, Aryepiglottic,Muscles, Arytenoid,Muscles, Cricoarytenoid,Muscles, Cricothyroid,Muscles, Laryngeal,Muscles, Thyroarytenoid,Muscles, Thyroepiglottic,Muscles, Vocal,Muscles, Vocalis,Thyroarytenoid Muscle,Thyroepiglottic Muscles,Vocal Muscles,Vocalis Muscles
D007830	Larynx	A tubular organ of VOICE production. It is located in the anterior neck, superior to the TRACHEA and inferior to the tongue and HYOID BONE.	Anterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissure, Larynx,Laryngeal Anterior Commissure,Laryngeal Posterior Commissure,Posterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissure, Larynx,Anterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissures, Larynx,Commissure, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissure, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissure, Larynx Anterior,Commissure, Larynx Posterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissures, Larynx Anterior,Commissures, Larynx Posterior,Laryngeal Anterior Commissures,Laryngeal Posterior Commissures,Larynx Anterior Commissure,Larynx Anterior Commissures,Larynx Posterior Commissure,Larynx Posterior Commissures,Posterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissures, Larynx
D008022	Ligaments	Shiny, flexible bands of fibrous tissue connecting together articular extremities of bones. They are pliant, tough, and inextensile.	Interosseal Ligament,Interosseous Ligament,Interosseal Ligaments,Interosseous Ligaments,Ligament,Ligament, Interosseal,Ligament, Interosseous
D008297	Male		Males
D010614	Pharynx	A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx).	Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D003413	Cricoid Cartilage	The small thick cartilage that forms the lower and posterior parts of the laryngeal wall.	Cartilage, Cricoid,Cartilages, Cricoid,Cricoid Cartilages
D003679	Deglutition	The act of taking solids and liquids into the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT through the mouth and throat.	Swallowing,Deglutitions,Swallowings
D004825	Epiglottis	A thin leaf-shaped cartilage that is covered with LARYNGEAL MUCOSA and situated posterior to the root of the tongue and HYOID BONE. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds back over the larynx inlet thus prevents foods from entering the airway.	Epiglottic Cartilage,Cartilage, Epiglottic,Cartilages, Epiglottic,Epiglottic Cartilages