LIGAMENTS OF THE LARYNX. 



543 



Fig. 163.* 



be arranged into four groups: 1. Those which articulate the thyroid 

 with the os hyoides. 2. Those which connect it with the cricoid. 

 3. Ligaments of the arytenoid cartilages. 4. Ligaments of the epi- 

 glottis. 



1. The ligaments which connect 

 the thyroid cartilage with the os 

 hyoides are three in number: 



The two Thyro-hyoidean liga- 

 ments pass between the superior 

 cornua of the thyroid and the ex- 

 tremities of the greater cornua of 

 the os hyoides : a sesamoid bone or 

 cartilage is found in each. 



The Thyro-hyoidean membrane is 

 a broad membranous layer, occupy- 

 ing the entire space between the 

 upper border of the thyroid carti- 

 lage and the upper border of the os 

 hyoides. It is pierced by the su- 

 perior laryngeal nerve and artery. 



2. The ligaments connecting the 

 thyroid to the cricoid cartilage are 

 also three in number: 



Two Capsular ligaments^ with 

 their synovial membranes, which 

 form the articulation between the 

 inferior cornua of the thyroid and 

 the sides of the cricoid ; and the 

 crico-thyroidean membrane. The 

 crico-thyroidean membrane is a fan- 

 shaped layer of elastic tissue, thick 



in front (middle crico-thyroidean ligament) and thinner at each side 

 (lateral crico-thyroidean ligament). It is attached by its apex to the 



* A vertical section of the larynx, showing its ligaments. 1 . The body of the 

 os hyoides. 2. Its great cornu 3. Its lesser cornu. 4 The ala of the thyroid 

 cartilage. 5. The superior cornu. 6. Its inferior cornu. 7. The pomum 

 Adami. 8, 8. The thyro-hyoidean membrane ; the opening in the membrane 

 immediately above the most posterior of the numerals is for the passage of the 

 superior laryngeal nerve and artery. 9. The thyro-hyoidean ligament ; the nu- 

 meral is placed immediately above the sesamoid bone or cartilage which exists 

 in this ligament, a. The epiglottis, b. The hyo-epiglottic ligament, c. The 

 thyro-epiglottic ligament, d. The arytenoid cartilage ; its inner surface, e. 

 The outer angle of the base of the arytenoid cartilage. /. The corniculum 

 laryiigis. g. The cuneiform cartilage, h. The superior thyro-arytenoid liga- 

 ment, f . The inferior thyro-arytenoid ligament, or chorda vocalis ; the ellip- 

 tical space between the two thyro-arytenoid ligaments is that of the ventricle of 

 the larynx, k. The cricoid cartilage. I. The lateral portion of the crico-thy- 

 roidean membrane, m. The central portion of the same membrane, n. The 

 upper ring of the trachea, which is received within the ring of the cricoid carti- 

 lage, o. Section of the isthmus of the thyroid gland, p, p. The levator glan- 

 dulee thyroidese. 



