542 LIGAMENTS OF THE LARYNX. 



extremity by a tubercle. Into this line the sterno-thyroid muscle is 

 inserted ; and from it the thyro-hyoid and inferior constrictor take 

 their origin. In the receding angle, formed by the meeting of the 

 two alae upon the inner side of the cartilage, and near its lower 

 border, are attached the epiglottis, the chordae vocales, the thyro- 

 arytenoid, and thyro-epiglottidean muscles. 



The Cricoid (xgixos iftos, like a ring) is a ring of cartilage, narrow 

 in front and broad behind, where it is surmounted by two rounded 

 surfaces, which articulate with the arytenoid cartilages. Upon the 

 middle line, posteriorly, is a vertical ridge which gives attachment to 

 the oesophagus, and on each side of the ridge are the depressions which 

 lodge the crico-arytenoidei postici muscles. On either side of the ring 

 is a glenoid cavity, which articulates with the inferior cornu of the 

 thyroid cartilage. 



The Arytenoid cartilages (fyvraiva,* a pitcher), two in number, are 

 triangular and prismoid in form. They are broad and thick below, 

 where they articulate with the upper border of the cricoid cartilage ; 

 pointed above, and prolonged by two small pyriform cartilages, corni- 

 cula laryngis (capitula Santorini), which are curved inwards and back- 

 wards, and they each present three surfaces, anterior, posterior, and 

 internal. The posterior surface is concave, and lodges part of the ary- 

 tenoideus muscle ; the internal surface is smooth, and forms part of the 

 lateral wall of the larynx ; the anterior or external surface is rough 

 and irregular, and gives attachment to the chorda vocalis, thyro-aryte- 

 noideus, crico-arytenoideus lateralis and posticus, and above these to 

 the base of the cuneiform cartilage. 



The Cuneiform cartilages are two small cylinders of fibro-cartilage, 

 about seven lines in length, and enlarged at each extremity. By the 

 lower end, or base, the cartilage is attached to the middle of the ex- 

 ternal surface of the arytenoid, and by its upper extremity forms a 

 prominence in the border of the aryteno-epiglottidean fold of mem- 

 brane. They are sometimes wanting. 



In the male the cartilages of the larynx are more or less ossified, 

 particularly in old age. 



The Epiglottis (e^nyXwrrlj, upon the tongue) is a fibro-cartilage of a 

 yellowish colour, studded with a number of small mucous glands, 

 which are lodged in shallow pits upon its surface. It is shaped like a 

 cordate leaf, and is placed immediately in front of the opening of the 

 larynx, which it closes completely when the larynx is drawn up 

 beneath the base of the tongue. It is attached by its point to the 

 receding angle, between the two alae of the thyroid cartilage. 



Ligaments. The Ligaments of the larynx are numerous, and may 



* This derivation has reference to the appearance of both cartilages taken 

 together and covered by mucous membrane. In animals, which were the 

 principal subjects of dissection among the ancients, the opening of the larynx 

 with the arytenoid cartilages bears a striking resemblance to the mouth of a 

 pitcher having a large spout. 



