THE LARYNX 327 



folds may, on the other hand, be approximated so closely to 

 each other, as when a high note is sung, that the inter- 

 membranous part is reduced to a linear chink. The length 

 of the entire fissure differs considerably in the two sexes. 

 In the male its average length is 23 mm. ; in the female, 

 17 mm. 



In the side wall of the larynx, in the interval between the 

 ventricular and the vocal folds, there is a pocket-like depression 

 or recess, termed the ventriculus laryngis (O.T. laryngeal sinus). 



Thyreoid cartilage 



Vocal ligament 



Rima glottidis 



Vocal process of 

 _ arytaenoid cartilage 

 Arytaenoid 

 cartilage 



FIG. 121. Diagram of the rima glottidis. 

 A. During ordinary easy breathing. B. Widely open. 



The dissector should endeavour to gauge the extent of 

 the ventricle, by means of a probe bent at the extremity. 

 The recess passes upwards, undermining the ventricular fold, 

 and its mouth or orifice is narrower than its cavity. Under 

 cover of the anterior part of the ventricular fold a slit-like 

 aperture will be detected. It leads into the appendix 

 ventriculi (O.T. laryngeal saccule), a small diverticulum, which 

 ascends between the ventricular fold and the lamina of 

 the thyreoid cartilage. The appendix is of variable extent, 

 but, as a rule, it ends blindly at the level of the upper border 

 of the thyreoid cartilage, 

 in 21 c 



