114 
Asphyxia is often delayed by the posterior 
chink of the glottis being seiniuelh t artially 
Open, in consequence of the coincident para- 
lysed force of the arytenoid muscles, and by the 
ona inclination of the crico-arytenoid articu- 
ting axis, with respect to its vertical section, 
preventing the approximation of the arytenoid 
cartilages by which the posterior part only of 
the chink can be closed. When any irritation 
is produced on the exquisitely sensitive mucous 
membrane of the larynx, it transmits a reflex 
action to the motor filaments of the recurrent, 
and the glottis is spasmodically closed, without 
any such morbid condition of the recurrent 
nerve as Dr. Ley supposed necessary. 
The larynx, when dissected out, and cleared 
of its extrinsic structures, presents on its ante- 
rior aspect the free margin of the epiglottis, the 
notch of the thyroid, the pomum Adami, its 
mesial line, the crico-thyroid space, and liga- 
ment, and the anterior border of the cricoid 
cartilage. 
On each side of the larynx are observable a 
portion of the wings of the thyroid, the crico- 
thyroid muscle, the great and lesser cornu, the 
oo and inferior tubercles, the oblique 
ridge, the superior and inferior margins of the 
thyroid, the side of the cricoid, with a portion 
of the lateral crico-thyroid ligament, and the 
superior, inferior, and posterior margins of the 
cricoid. 
On the posterior aspect are observable, the 
posterior free surface of the epiglottis, the ary- 
tenoid cartilages and muscles, the aryteno- 
epiglottic mucous folds, the crico-arytenoidei 
postici muscles, the vertical ridge of the cricoid, 
the posterior margins of the thyroid, and the 
posterior surface of the cricoid cartilages. 
In the internal surface, from above, we ob- 
serve the superior margin of the thyroid carti- 
lage and great cornua, forming the superior 
boundary of the larynx, the superior margin 
and notch of the epiglottis, the cornicula la- 
ryngis, the arytenoid and cuneiform cartilages, 
the aryteno-epiglottic mucous folds, the supe- 
rior and inferior vocal ligaments, the ventricles, 
the rima glottidis, and the mucous membrane. 
Looking from below upwards, we perceive 
the inferior circular margin of the cricoid, the 
membrane lining its internal surface, the infe- 
rior aspect of the thyro-arytenoid ligaments, 
and the rima glottidis. 
The preceding outline of thegeneral anatomy 
of the larynx will give the reader an idea of its 
manifold structures, its exquisite sensibility, 
its complex motions, its connection with the 
process of deglutition, and its admirable adapt- 
ation for the production of sound, and may 
serve to impress a conviction that it is one of 
the most elaborate and perfect specimens of 
mechanism in the human body. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY.— Galeni Opera, de locis affectis, 
lib, i. cap. 6, p. 6. Vesalius, De corp. humani 
fabrica, Basilie, fol. 1555. J. Casserius, de org. vocis 
et auditu, Ferrara, 1600, Riolanus, Opera. Anat. 
Paris, fol. 1649. Bidloo, Anat. Humani Corp. 
* For the description of the vocal functions, see 
the Article VOICE. 
ABNORMAL ANATOMY OF THE LARYNX. 
eg ha 1685. Malpighi, Opera = omnia, b 
ol. . otomia i 
Bvo. 1694, p. 80. ‘Dodart, Mem, de I? Acad. 1 
des Sciences, 1700. Morgagni, Adve ; 
omnia, Lugd. 1718. Santorini, O 
Anat. Venice, 4to. 1724. Albinus, Hist. 
Hominis, Leidz Batavorum, 4to., 1734. _ 
Mem. de l’Acad. Royale, 1741, p. 400. — 
ini, Anat. Int. Veronz, fol. 1754, » . 
45, 53. , Ouvres Anat. Paris, 8vo. 
p- 91. Winslow, Anat. Edinb. 8vo. 1763. Vieg d’. 
Mem. de l’Acad. Royale, 1779. Haller, El. Pl 
Soemmering, De corp. humani stract. vol.’ 
jecti ad Menum, 8vo. 1801. Savart, 
Chimie et de Physique, Paris, 8vo. 1825. 
nati, Recherches sur la Mechanisme de la 
8vo. Paris, 1832. Willis, Camb. Phil. 
vol. iv. p. 323, Camb. 1832. Cloquet, ' 
d’Anat. descrip. Paris, 8vo. 1834. Laut! hy 
de l’Acad. Royale de Med, 1835. P. Broe, 
d’Anat. descrip. Paris, 1837, p. 527. The 
cipal systems of anatomy. fe 
(J. Bisho 
LARYNX. (Morsip ANATOMY AND PA 
LoGy.)}—The importance of this organ t 
and even when existence is not actual! 
dangered, to the comfort and well-being 
individual, must render any deviation | 
healthy and normal condition in the highs 
gree interesting to the pathologist: ne 
that interest be diminished by reflecting ¢ 
paramount value of a knowledge of th 
viations to every practical physician. 5 
size and composed of few and appare 
ple structures—its functions so obviou 
any imperfection in their performance co 
quickly perceived and readily understoc 
would appear only reasonable to suppo: 
its various pathological conditions shoul 
been observed, and the symptoms con 
with them Jong since collected and arn 
Yet, such is not the history of the pathol 
the larynx: on the contrary, it presents 
to us with all the interest of a new dise 
and whatever is known on the subject 
result of investigations made within he I 
years. We have the opinion of the lal 
Cheyne, (no mean authority on 
that in the year 1800, “ vada ere 
in Britain more than one individual, | 
Monro, who was acquainted with the: 
ture of the disease of which General 
ington died—acute laryngitis ;” and the 
writer goes on to shew that in ten years 
quent to that general’s death, Dr. Bailli 
at the head of the medical profession: 
land, admitted that he was ignore 
nature of the same malady. But 
reverting so far back, I may be permi 
state, that within a comparatively rec 
I can personally remember the 
ledge that obtained amongst medical 
tioners in this particular, and the de 
results that too frequently ensued 
though it may be gratifying to reflec 
altered condition of things at preset 
must be obvious that a subject so shor 
under investigation cannot be expected 
been thoroughly worked out. 
‘ ry 
‘ 
: 
been brought forward—perhaps more 
behind, and any person now attempting 
