Otolaryngologic Anatomy Flashcards

Which is the only intrinsic laryngeal muscle that abducts the vocal folds?

Answer: Posterior cricoarytenoid

The posterior cricoarytenoid rotates the arytenoids outward to open the glottis, and losing it on both sides can block the airway.

The cricothyroid muscle is supplied by which nerve?

Answer: External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

The cricothyroid tenses the vocal folds and is the only intrinsic laryngeal muscle supplied by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

A Zenker's diverticulum herniates through which area?

Answer: Killian's dehiscence between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus

A Zenker's diverticulum pushes through Killian's dehiscence, the weak spot between the oblique thyropharyngeus and the horizontal cricopharyngeus.

Around which structure does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve loop?

Answer: Aortic arch at the ligamentum arteriosum

The left recurrent laryngeal nerve hooks under the aortic arch next to the ligamentum arteriosum, so its course is longer than the right one's.

A nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve is most often found with which anatomic variant?

Answer: Aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria)

A right nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve occurs in about 0.5-1% of people and almost always goes with a retroesophageal aberrant right subclavian artery.

Sensation of the supraglottic larynx is carried by which nerve?

Answer: Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane and supplies sensation above the vocal folds.

Which pharyngeal muscle is the only one supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve?

Answer: Stylopharyngeus

The stylopharyngeus comes from the third pharyngeal arch and is the only muscle supplied by CN IX; the other pharyngeal muscles get vagal supply through the pharyngeal plexus.