Everything in the human body is thought out to the smallest detail, and each individual organ is responsible for its own area of work. Right now I want to talk about what is the larynx. The functions and structure of this body will be considered in this article.
Main terminology
At the very beginning, it is necessary to understand those terms and concepts that will be actively used in the text of the article. So, the larynx is primarily a hollow organ, a special and most important part of the entire respiratory system. It consists of a mass of muscles and cartilage, which are located between the pharynx and trachea and perform the most important task assigned to them: to complete the airways. In short, the functions of the larynx: voice formation, as well as oxygen transfer to the lungs.
The structure of the larynx
Now it’s clear what the larynx is. The structure and functions of this body are very important. It is located in the area from the 4th to the 6th cervical vertebra. It is important to note that the larynx connects to the hyoid bone, as well as ligaments. From above, it docked with the throat, from below - with the trachea. The larynx itself is the so-called cartilage skeleton, which is represented by the following very large cartilages:
- scooped;
- horn-shaped;
- wedge-shaped.
The very basis of this organ is the cricoid cartilage, which is so named because its very structure resembles a ring. Interestingly, it can also be groped on its own. It is located directly under the Adam's apple, or, in other words, the “Adam's apple”.
The larynx is covered by the epiglottis - a special unpaired cartilage that protects the respiratory tract from ingestion of food, as well as various foreign objects. Sickle cartilages are located on the back of the larynx. By themselves, they are mobile, so the gap between them can both expand and narrow, depending on the need.
Larynx muscles
Considering an organ such as the larynx, the structure and functions cannot be ignored. It should be noted that muscles are of paramount importance in the structure of the larynx. They are external and internal.
The main goal of the external muscles is to lower and raise this organ. There are 4 of them:
- sternohyoid;
- stylo pharyngeal;
- sternum;
- shield hyoid.
The division of the internal muscles is even more voluminous. So, they are divided into four main categories:
- The first two muscles are responsible for the expansion, as well as the narrowing of the glottis.
- The third muscle works to ensure the tension of the vocal cords.
- The fourth provides the movement of such a small organ as the epiglottis.
Other about the structure of the larynx
It is also important to remember that there are other constituent elements of the larynx.
- The thyroid artery helps supply this organ with blood. Its outflow occurs through the superior jugular vein.
- The larynx itself consists of three sections: the vestibular, middle, and post-folding spaces.
- The innervation of the larynx is provided by the branches of the nerve, which is called the vagus.
Larynx function 1. Conductive
Considering an organ such as the larynx, its functions cannot be ignored. Initially, it should be noted that the larynx is a conductor. It passes through its cavity air to the lungs, which ensures the normal functioning of the entire respiratory system. It is important to note that this organ, due to its expansion or contraction, is able to affect the depth, as well as the rhythm of respiratory movements. It all depends on how much the larynx “liked” the air that a person breathed.
Larynx function 2. Respiratory
We further consider the main functions of the larynx. From the previous paragraph, the following smoothly follows: this organ takes a direct part in the respiratory system. The amount of air that is delivered to the lower respiratory tract is regulated by the expansion and contraction of the larynx. It is worth noting that if a person breathes normally, calmly, the glottis expands slightly. With deep breathing, it expands greatly, and with air retention, it narrows marginally.
Larynx function 3. Protective
We further consider the function of the larynx. Be sure to mention one of her most important tasks - protection. So, while swallowing food, the epiglottis tends to lower, so that the larynx rises slightly. As a result of this, it becomes impossible for food to enter the lumen of this organ, which could negatively affect its work. The elevation of the epiglottis is the first protective barrier. The next is a severe cough, which occurs after particles of food enter the larynx. Thus, the body throws out unnecessary from this body. The third protective level is the presence of bactericidal mucus, lymph nodes and ciliated epithelium.
Feature 4. Voice Education
What other function does the larynx perform? So, it is very important to say that this particular body is voice-forming. That is, it is the larynx that allows people to talk and convey to the interlocutor the desired information. But the allocation of a "living voice" is already the work of other bodies. Various sounds are born in the larynx. It is here that they acquire a special emotional coloring.
It is also important to note that some hormones can affect the activity and functioning of the vocal cords. For example, hormones of the gonads, adrenal glands, thyroid gland and pituitary gland. That is why during puberty (from 12 to 16 years) a person's voice may change or “break”.
Briefly about all the functions of the larynx
Having examined in detail all the functions of the human larynx, as a small conclusion, I would like to provide a short list for a quicker familiarization:
- The larynx conducts air from the trachea in one direction and to the nasopharynx in the other.
- The most important functions of the larynx: control of the quantity and quality of incoming air.
- The larynx controls the depth as well as the rhythm of a person’s breathing.
- What else does the larynx do? The functions of this body are protection against particles of food and other foreign elements getting into its cavity. In this case, three basic defense mechanisms come into operation.
- What other laryngeal functions are there? This body is directly involved in the creation of the voice. It is here that all the sounds are born, which later add up to all the usual human speech.
Laryngeal diseases
Having understood what the larynx is, the functions of this organ, you also need to say a few words about what problems and diseases can affect it.
- Abnormal development. In this case, we are talking about a birth defect in the membrane. To cope with this is possible only with the help of surgical intervention. And the sooner this is done (at an earlier childhood), the better for the person himself.
- Acute stenosis. It occurs most often in children who have not yet reached the age of five. The causes of this problem are very diverse. The disease manifests itself with a change in voice, shortness of breath, as well as involuntary tipping of the child's head back.
- Larynx burns. You can get them because of various chemicals. In this case, this organ will begin to swell, there will also be severe pain. If the vocal cords are affected, then the voice can also change.
- Inflammatory processes. These problems can just cause a disease such as the stenosis described above. Ill children have noisy breathing, there may be problems with breathing. A feeling of lack of oxygen is also possible.
Having examined the structure and functions of the human larynx, we can draw a simple conclusion that this is the most important organ in our body. That is why, at the slightest suspicion of his illness, one should seek medical help. Self-medication in this case can even be hazardous to health.