100 
LARYNX. Syn. Gr. aaevyé, from Ca 
(clamo); Fr. aor per bert sb ey 
Laringe.—The larynx is a complex piece of 
mechanism resembling a kind of box, (pixis 
cava, ) composed of an assemblage of carti- 
lages, the density and elasticity of which serve 
to protect its more delicate tissues, and to 
allow the free transmission of air for respira- 
tion. It is also exquisitely adapted for the 
production of voice. 
The larynx is situated in the mesial line, 
and opens superiorly into the pharynx, and 
inferiorly into the trachea. It occupies the 
anterior superior part of the neck, immediately 
below the os hyoides, and before the pharynx, 
which lies between it and the vertebral column. 
In front it is very superficial, being covered 
only by the sub-hyoidean muscles, and the 
common integuments. 
It admits of various kinds of motion: 1, 
those of elevation and depression parallel to 
the long axis of the body; 2, those complex 
movements within it which take place during 
respiration and the production of vocal sounds. 
The larynx considered with reference to the 
trachea, presents an enlargement denominated 
Fig. 18. 
The anterior transverse section of the larynx and 
trachea. a, the epiglottis; 6, 6, the horns of the 
os hyoides ; ¢, ¢, the inferior thyro-arytenoid liga- 
ments (chorde vocales); d, d, the thyro-arytenoid 
muscles; e, e, section of the thyroid cartilage ; 
Sf, f. the superior boundaries of the ventricles , g,9, 
section of the cricoid; h, the trachea; J, l, the 
ventricles. 
NORMAL ANATOMY OF THE LARYNX. 
the cuput asper@ asteria, or the head of th 
trachea. The absolute volume of the laryn 
varies with the age and sex of the indivic ua 
its magnitude is much more considerable 
men than in women ; in the former it ace u 
an extraordinary developement at the 
puberty. In eunuchs, however, this en 
ment does not take place. i 
The larynx does not represent any regt 
geometrical figure; it may be defined as 
irregular, inverted, truncated cone, whose 
tions at the apex and base are elliptical, 
approaching nearly to a circle at its june 
with the trachea. - 
This organ is perfectly symmetrical, wh 
however, applies to one of its sections 6 
viz. that of its mesial plane, or axis me 
consequently, all the others must be uns 
metrical: the section made at right angle 
it, or in its axis minor, gives the relative sit 
tion of its internal mechanism, as in figs. 
and 19, which should be carefully studied, v 
reference to the physiology of this organ. 
Fig. 19. 
The posterior view. The letters e, d, é, g, 
resent corresponding sections of the sam 
B b, the arytenoid cartilages invested by n 
membrane ; , the pharynx laid open. _ 
The larynx is composed of several stru 
which may be classed as follows: 1, 
tilages ; 2, the ligaments; 3, the mus 
4, the mucous membrane; 5, the mu 
glands; 6, the arteries-and veins; @ 
lastly, the nerves. a 
The cartilages of the larynx are ni 
