ANATOMY OF LARYNX AND ITS

CLINICAL EVALUATION

Dr. Shraddha Chaudhary

M.S. 2nd year
Shalakya Tantra
Department
IPGT & RA,GAU
 Anatomy of Larynx
• It is a organ of phonation and an air passage.
• Extends from root of tongue to trachea.
• Lies in front of hypopharynx (opposite to 3rd to 6th cervical vertebrae).
• Cartilages: 9 in no.
1. Unpaired:
Thyroid
Cricoid
Epiglottis
2. Paired:
Arytenoid
Corniculate
Cunieform
• Laryngeal Joints:
2 in no.
1.Cricothyroid joint
2.Cricoarytenoid joint
• Laryngeal ligaments and membranes:
Divided into two:
1. Extrinsic:
a. Thyrohyoid membrane
b. Cricotracheal Ligament
c. Hyoepiglottic Ligament
• Intrinsic:
a. Quadrangular membrane
b. Cricovocal membrane
c. Cricothyroid Ligament
d. Thyroepiglottic ligament
• Cavities of larynx:
 Laryngeal cavity starts at
laryngeal inlet and ends at lower
border of cricoid cartilage, where
it continous with lumem of
trachea.
 Two pairs of folds(Vestibular and
Vocal) divides the cavity into 3:
Vestibule (Supraglottic):
Extends from Laryngeal inlet to
Vestibular folds.
Ventricle (glottis): Deep
Elliptical space b/w vestibular folds
and Vocal cords.
Subglottic space (Infraglottic) :
Extends from vocal cords to lower
border of cricoid cartilage.
 What complaints we get at Opd level????
• Change in voice
• Pain in laryngeal area
• Respiratory obstruction
• Cough and expectoration
• Odynophagia
(Painful swallowing)
• Dysphagia
(Difficulty in swallowing)
• FB sensation in throat
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
 Change in voice/ Disorders of voice
• Hoarsness of voice (Roughness of voice)
Causes:- Acute inflammations, chronic inflammations, tumors, trauma,
paralysis, fixation of cords,etc.
• Aphonia (Inability to produce voiced sound)
• Functional aphonia/Hysterical Aphonia/Pshycological aphonia
More in females(15-30 yrs age)
sudden aphonia, unaccompained with laryngeal symptoms
• Puberphonia/Mutational Falsetto Voice
seen in boys who are emotionally immature.
• Diplophonia/Dysphonia Plicae Venticularis(Voice like duet)
In this phonation with false vocal cords occurs.
Voice is rough, low pitched and unpleasent.
Cause: Unilateral complete paralysis of vocal cord.
• Phonasthenia (Weakness of voice)
Cause : Abuse and misuse of voice.
Fatigue of phonatory muscle (Thyroarytenoid & Interarytenoid)
• Hyponasality/Rhinolalia clausa
It is a lack of nasal resonance for the letters/words which are resonated
in the nasal cavity.
Causes:-Blockage of nose or nasopharynx as in common cold, nasal
allergy, nasal polyp, nasal growth, adenoids.
• Hypernasality/Rhinolalia aperata
It is seen when certain words which have a little nasal resonance are
resonated through nose.
Causes:- Due to faliure of Nasopharynx to cutoff from oropharynx or
abnormal communication b/w oral and nasal cavities.
• Stuttering (Abnormal fluency of speech)-
Hesitation to start, repetition, prolongation or blocks in the flow
of speech.
• Phonic spasm
In adults who uses their voice professionally.
This condition also occurs due to partial paralysis of SLN and RLN.
As pt attempt to speak vocal cord firmly pressed together after few
words and sound is emitted.
• Mogiphonia-
Ordinary conversation voice is unaffected but proffessional speaking
or singing is painful and impossible.

• Take history:- (Enquire about)

1.Duration
2.Onset(Gradual/Sudden)-
Slow- Acute laryngo tracheo bronchitis
Incidious- laryngeal diptheria
3.Loud/Soft
4.Diurnal Variation- in chronic laryngitis pt. become aphonic till the
end of the day.
5.Characterstic (Clear/Husky/Hoarse/Hot Potato Voice)
6.Fatigable or not
 Pain in Laryngeal area
Causes:-
• Epiglottitis
• Acute Laryngitis (Due to Dryness and Rawness in throat)
• Chronic Laryngitis
• Acute Vocal Abuse
• Ulceromembranous Laryngitis
• Diptheric Laryngitis
• Cricoarytenoid Arthritis
• Layngeal Trauma
• FB
• Benign or Malignant tumors

Enquire for:-
• Duration
• Number of attacks per month/year
• Recurrence (is there or not)
 Respiratory Obstruction
Causes:
• Foreign body (Depends on site of FB, Size and Nature of FB)
• Vocal cord Paralysis
• Glottic oedema
• Laryngocele
• Malignant growth

Enquire for:
• Duration:- short term/ long term
• Onset:- Sudden or Gradual
• Progress:- Progressive or Non-Progressive
 Odynophagia and Dysphagia
Causes:-
Acute epiglottitis Enquire for:-
Abcess in epiglottis Duration
Laryngeal trauma Onset- Gradual/Sudden
Contact ulcer Is it for Liquids/Solids/Semisolids
Vocal nodules Pain while swallowing
Ulceromembranous laryngitis H/O FB

• Fever can be associated with epiglottitis, laryngitis, glottitis, etc..

Especially evening rise of temprature is suggestive of tuberculosis.
• Weight loss and Loss of appetite are the associated complaints may be seen in
any malignancy.
 PROPER HISTORY IS MUST……
• After asking chief complaints of the patients start with PAST History.
• Ask for past medical history
H/o similar illness in the past
H/o Pulmonary tuberculosis (as it may cause granulomatous growth over
vocal cords)
H/o DM, Brochial Asthma, HTN,etc.
• Treatment History:-
H/o biopsy being taken (if any)
H/o Irradiation and its side-effects (if any)
• Personal History:-
Smoking and alcoholic habits.(they are more prone for laryngeal and
hypolaryngeal malignancies.)
Weight loss
Appetite.
 EXAMINATION
• External examination:
 Lymphnodes examination
 Adam’s apple
 Laryngeal Crepitus

• Internal Examination:
 Indirect Laryngoscopy
 Direct Laryngoscopy
 Fibroptic Laryngoscopy
 Rigid Laryngoscopy

• Imagning Techniques:
 X-ray of Neck, Larynx, Pharynx
 CT-scan
 MRI
 PET-CT & PET-MRI
 EXTERNAL EXAMINATION
• Start with the Lymphnodes Examination:
Nodes are to be palpated while standing at the back of the patient. Neck is
slightly flexed to achive relaxation of muscles.

 Sloan Kettering Cervical

LN Classification:
 Level 1A-Submental lymphnodes
 Level 1B-Submandibular lymphnodes
 Level 2-Upper Juglar group nodes
 Level 3- Middle Juglar group nodes
 Level 4- Lower Juglar group nodes
 Level 5A-Superior to cricoid Cartilage
 Level 5B- Inferior to cricoid cartilage
 Level 6- (Ant. Compartment) Hyoid
bone to Suprasternal notch.
 Level 7- Tracheoesophageal groove
nodes and superior mediastinal nodes.
 Observe the Adam’s apple. An advanced Laryngeal Carcinoma may distort
the shape of Adman’s Apple.
 Laryngeal Crepitus:- It is normal sound produced by the movement of
laryngeal cartilage against cervical spine.
• Absence of this (Boca’s Sign) may be because of any growth.
 Widening of larynx (Growth of Pyriform Fossa)
 INTERNAL EXAMINATION

INDIRECT LARYNGOSCOPY:

 Simplest method of Larynx and Vocal cords

examination.
 Most adult and older children.
 Significant skill and patient co-operation.
 Larynx examination:-
At rest
Gental Breathing
During phonation
Coughing
Cont……

Diagnostic:-
• Change in voice
• FB sensation
• Odynophagia
• Dysphagia
• Throat Pain
• Stridor, etc.
INDICATIONS

Therapautic:-
• FB removal
• Intubation
• Biopsy of growth in hypopharynx or
vocal cords
• Placing gastric tube
• Contraindication:-No absolute contraindications.
But special caution should be taken in Acute Epiglottitis.
• EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED:
 Laryngeal mirror
 Adequate lighting( ideally a strong headlight)
 Gauze sponges
 Local anesthetic (spray or viscous solution)
 Spirit lamp or hot water

A B
• Technique:
 This procedure works best in a brightly lit room. Use a headlight or mirror
light to direct light parallel to your field of vision.
 Warm the mirror over an alcohol lamp or with warm water to prevent
fogging.
 The patient should be sitting upright with a straight back, leaning slightly
toward you with chin pointing upward (“sniffing position”).
 Sit to the patient’s side, and be higher than the patient.
 Apply anesthetic to the patient’s pharynx and ask patient to gargle and spit.
 Test the temperature of the mirror before commencing the procedure to ensure
it is not dangerously hot.
 Ask the patient to relax and to protude out his or her tongue. Cover the tongue
in gauze and pull it with the thumb and middle finger of your nondominant
hand.
 With the patient breathing in and out, direct the mirror into the mouth and
toward the back of the throat, making sure the glass side is downward.
 At the back of the throat, press the mirror upward, against the uvula and soft
palate.
 Avoid the gag reflex by not touching the posterior pharyngeal wall or tongue
base.
 Slightly alter the mirror and try various angles to visualize the desired structures.
 Structures to be examined:-
Base of tongue Pyriform fossa
Vallecula False cords
Epiglottis True cords
Areyepiglottic folds Upper 2-3 tracheal rings
 Structures seen on I/L are:-
 Ant. Part of larynx (Epiglottis, ant. Commissure)- towards top of mirror.
 Post. Part of larynx ( Arytenoids and Post. Commissure)- seen at lower
portion of mirror.
 Patients right vocal cord is seen on left side of mirror and vice versa.
• THINGS TO BE EXAMINED:-
 Epiglottis:-
 Pinkish-Normal
 Bright red,swollen- Acute epiglottitis, Laryngitis.
 Pale, swollen- allergic laryngitis
 Turban shaped epiglottis- Tuberculosis of larynx.
 V-shape epiglottis- Lupus
 Ulcers over epiglottis- Corrosive poisioning,
Burns,Malignancy

 Ventricular Bands: (False Vocal Cords)

 Should be examined for hypertrophy.
 In Dysphonia Plicae Ventricularis O/E margins of
bands may be seen to approximate to hide true vocal
cords.
 PYRIFORM FOSSA:-
 Fullness of this area- suspicious of malignancy.
 Pooling of saliva (Jackson’s sign)- suspicious of postcricoid malignancy.
 VOCAL CORDS:-
 Pearly white- Normal
 Congested- Acute Laryngitis
 Edges should be examined for any growth:
Vocal nodules (at junc. of ant, 1/3rd and post 2/3rd of vocal
cords).
 Malignant growth may be seen. NORMAL
 Surface should be observed for cyst, ulcer, leukoplakic
patch or granulations.
 Vocal cord movement should be examined at:
a. Gentle Breathing- Abduction
b. During phonation
c. Forced Inspiration- Fully abducted
d. On coughing-adduction followed by
abduction Vocal nodules
e. At rest- gently abducted
 Movement of vocal cord is restricted in:
 Abductor or adductor paresis
 Any growth in glottis region
 Cricoarytenoid arthritis
  POSITION OF VOCAL CORDS:

Position of Distance Healthy Diseased

Vocal cords from centre

Median Midline Phonation RLN Paralysis

Paramedian 1.5mm Strong RLN Paralysis

Whisper

Intermediate 3.5mm Neutral Paralysis of RLN

(Cadaveric) position & SLN

Gentle 7mm Quite Paralysis of

Abduction Respiration Adductors

Full Abduction 9.5mm Deep -

Inspiration
 vocal cord paralysis should be
checked according to position and
movement:-
 Types -4
• Unilateral incomplete paralysis
• Unilateral complete paralysis
• Bilateral incomplete paralysis
• Bilateral complete paralysis
• Some other disease which involves Vocal cords and sorrounding area:
 Viral Laryngitis:- Laryngeal mucosa is diffusely erythematous, esspecially over
the true vocal cords.
 Simple Diffuse chronic laryngitis:- Examination shows a reddned hyperemic
laryngeal mucosa. The true vocal cord looses their white color and becomes pink
or red.
 Keratosis:- The surface of the vocal cord is white in color as a consequence of
thickning of the squamous epithelium covered by excess keratin.
 Laryngitis sicca:- the laryngeal mucosa has dry, glazed, roughned appearance
Crusts(yellowish or black in color)- Interarytenoid area.
 Vocal Nodules
 Vocal Polyp:- Polyps can be on one or both of the vocal folds. They may look
like a swollen spot or bump, a blister, or a thin, long growth.
 Common mistakes we make during procedure…..

• Fails to explain procedure.

• Fails to position the patient perfectly.
• Fails to focus light properly on mirror.
• Fails to elevate uvula with back of mirror.
• Visualizing larynx directly without looking at adjacent structures.
 DIRECT LARYNGOSCOPY
• Direct visualization of larynx and hypopharynx.

Diagnostic:
 Infants and young children
 Strong gag reflex & overhanging epiglottis
 Examine hidden areas of Hypopharynx &
Larynx
 Find extent of growth and take biopsy
 Symptoms- Hoarseness, Dyspnoea, stridor,
Indications dysphagia.

Therapautic:
 Removal of benign lesions of larynx
 FB removal
 Dilatation of laryngeal strictures.
• CONTRAINDICATIONS:-
 Diseases/ Injuries of cervical spine.
 Stridor (Unless airway provided by tracheostomy)
 Recent coronary occlusion.
 Cardiac Decompensation

• ANESTHESIA:-
 Usually done under general Anaesthesia.
• EQUIPMENTS:-
Consist of:- a. Handle
b. Blade
Blades:-
A. Miller blade:-
 Straight blade
 The size of flange is reduced to minimize trauma.
 Curve at the tip is extended to improve lifting of
epiglottis.
B.Macintosh Blade:-
 Curved Blade
 Tip of blade rests in vallecula,
indirectly lifting epiglottis.

• POSITION:-
 POSTOPERATIVE CARE:-
 Patient is kept in coma position to prevent aspiration of blood or secretions.
 Patients respiration should be watched for any laryngeal spasm and cyanosis.
 Trauma to larynx, especially if repeated attempt at laryngoscopy have been made.
May lead to Laryngeal oedema and respiratory distress.
 Bleeding may occur from operative site. Pt. may spit blood. Care should be taken
to prevent aspiration.

 COMPLICATIONS:-
 Injury to lips and tongue if they are nipped b/w the teeth and the laryngoscope.
 Injury to teeth. They may get dislodged and fall into pharynx.
 Bleeding.
 Laryngeal oedema.
 Flexible Fibreoptic Laryngoscopy
• It is modified technique of direct laryngoscopy.
• In difficult cases, where laryngeal examination cannot be performed with mirror
due to anatomical abnormlities or intolerance of mirror by the patient, this can be
used.
• It is passed through the nose under local anasthesia and gives a good view of
larynx, laryngopharynx, subglottis, and even upper trachea.
 Rigid Endoscopy
• A rigid fiberooptic telescope is used.
• It gives a clear, wide-angle view of the larynx and laryngopharynx.
• Local anaesthesia may be required for patients with an active gag reflex.
 STROBOSCOPY
• The vocal folds vibrate so fast during voice production (over one
hundred times a second in men and double that in women) that this
vibration is impossible to see clearly with the naked eye. The free
edges of the vocal folds appear as a blur.
• Stroboscopy is a special method of examination of a vibrating or
fast moving object, such as the vocal folds.
• A bright flashing light lasting a fraction of a second (10µs) is used
to illuminate the vocal folds. This flash ‘freezes’ the movement of
the vibrating vocal folds. By taking multiple snapshots at different
phases of the vibratory cycle it is possible to see details of the
change in shape of pliable surface of the vocal folds.
 IMAGNING TECHNIQUES
• X-ray:-
 Lateral view of neck:- In normal person it shows- outline of base of tongue,
vallecula, Hyoid bone, Epiglottis and Aryepiglottic fold, Arytenoids, False and true
cords, Cartilages, subglottic space , trachea, Cervical spine.
 This view helps in diagnosis of:
 FB of Larynx, Pharynx.
 Laryngeal stenosis
 Acute Epiglottitis (Thumb sign)
 Fracture of larynx and hyoid bone and their displacement.
 Caries of cervical spine,etc.

 AP view of neck:- This view is useful to diffrentiate a FB of larynx from that of

oesophagus.
 Also to see any compression or displacement of trachea, bilateral neck masses.