CHAPTER V 



THE LARYNX, TRACHEA AND GUTTURAL 

 POUCHES 



THE LARYNX 



This is the upper portion of the tube which places the lungs in 

 communication with the pharynx. This tube is naturally divided 

 into three portions, namely, the larynx, the bronchi or inferior portion, 

 and a connecting part called the trachea or windpipe. 



In addition to being a part of this respiratory tube, the larynx is 

 also the organ of voice. In order that it may perform the double func- 

 tion, it is of complicated structure, being made up of a groundwork 

 of cartilages which are connected with one another by membranes and 

 ligaments. A number of small muscles assist in attaching the cartilages 

 to one another, but these also bring about the various movements of 

 the cartilages which are necessary in the production of vocal sounds. 



The Cartilages. — These are five in number, and are named respectively, 

 the Thyroid, Epiglottis, Arytenoids (of which there are two), and the 

 Cricoid. 



The Thyroid Cartilage. — The thyroid cartilage is made up of a body 

 which is placed anteriorly, and two lateral plates which project 

 backwards from the body, one on either side. The body is in the 

 form of a constricted rod, to the superior surface of which the base ot 

 the epiglottis is attached by elastic fibres. Its inferior surface is 

 clothed by the insertion of the subscapulo-hyoideii muicles, whilst 



