Larynx Ligaments
There are two types of ligaments:
- Extrinsic ligaments that attach the larynx to other structures such as the hyoid or the trachea
- And the intrinsic ligaments that connect the larynx cartilages between them.
The intrinsic ligaments are the
- Cricothyroid,
- Cricocorniculate,
- Thyroepiglottic,
- Thyroarytenoid,
- Arytenoidepiglottic ligaments.
- The cricothyroid ligament or cricothyroid membrane is pyramid-shaped with its apex sitting in the middle of the thyroid cartilage, and its base in the superior border of the cricoid cartilage.
- The cricocorniculate ligaments are two fibrous bands linking the cricoid cartilage to the Santorini cartilages.
- The thyroepiglottic ligament connects the thyroid ligament to the epiglottis.
- The thyroarytenoid ligaments extend from the external part of the arytenoid cartilages to the middle part of the thyroid cartilage and subdivide into the superior ligament that sits next to superior vocal cords, and the inferior ligament that sits on the inferior vocal cords.
- The arytenoidepiglottic ligaments connect the arytenoid cartilages to the epiglottis.