Cuneiform cartilages

Cuneiform cartilages

Laryngoscopic view of interior of larynx.

The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind.
Details
Identifiers
Latin cartilagines cuneiformes
TA A06.2.06.001
FMA 55111

Anatomical terminology

In the human larynx, the cuneiform cartilages (from Latin: cunei, "wedge-shaped"; also known as cartilages of Wrisberg) are two small, elongated pieces of yellow elastic cartilage, placed one on either side, in the aryepiglottic fold.[1]

The cuneiforms are paired cartilages that sit on top of and move with the arytenoids.[2] They are located above and in front of the corniculate cartilages, and the presence of these two pairs of cartilages result in small bulges on the surface of the mucous membrane.[3] Covered by the aryepiglottic folds, the cuneiforms form the lateral aspect of the laryngeal inlet, while the corniculates form the posterior aspect, and the epiglottis the anterior.[4]

Function of the cuneiform cartilages is to support the vocal folds and lateral aspects of the epiglottis. They also provide a degree of solidity to the folds in which they are embedded.[3]

Additional images

Posterior view of the cartilages of the larynx 
Posterior view of the muscles of the larynx 

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Gray's Anatomy (1918), see infobox
  2. Rosen, Clarke A.; Simpson, Blake (2008). Operative Techniques in Laryngology. Springer. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  3. 1 2 Seikel, J. Anthony; King, Douglas W.; Drumright, David G. (2010). Anatomy & Physiology for Speech, Language, and Hearing (4th ed.). Delmar, NY: Cengage Learning. ISBN 1-4283-1223-4.
  4. The Essentials of Respiratory Care. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 77. ISBN 9780323027007. Retrieved November 2013. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)



This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/24/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.