330 



SPLANCHXOLOGY. 



The crico-arytenoidean ligaments connect the outer angles of the 

 arytenoid with the .superior border of the cricoid cartilages. The 

 crico-thyroidean ligaments, three in number, connect the cricoid 

 and thyroid cartilages ; they consist of an anterior or broad one, 

 and two lateral ones attached to the posterior extremities of the 

 thyroid wings. The thyro-arytenoidean ligaments are likewise 

 known as the true vocal cords, and they stretch from the inner 

 aspect of the angle of the 

 thyroid cartilage to the 

 base of the arytenoid carti- 

 lages. The superior aper- 

 ture of the larynx, which, 

 when open, communicates 

 with the pharynx, is some- 

 what oval, and bounded 

 anteriorly by the epiglottis, 

 posteriorly by the arytenoids 

 and cornicula laryngis, later- 

 ally by the false vocal cords. 

 Inside itbecomesconstricted, 

 leaving a narrow triangular 

 fissure running antero-pos- 

 teriorly, and bounded later- 

 ally by folds of mucous 

 membrane, in which lie the 

 thyro-arytenoid ligaments 

 or true vocal cords. The 

 narrow opening of the lar- 

 ynx between the right and 

 left vocal cords is called the 

 rima glottidis, or glottis, 

 and is wider posteriorly from 

 the divergence of the cords. 

 Between the true and false 

 vocal cords, on either side, is a deep ovoid fossa, the lateral sinus 

 or ventricle of the larynx ; at the base of the epiglottis is a 

 third, small, blind depression, the middle ventricle. The inferior 

 opening of the larynx which communicates with the trachea is 

 nearly circular. 



FIG. 113. 



Larynx, hyoid bone, 

 and commencement of 

 trachea posterior view. 

 1, Epiglottis; 2, Left ary- 

 tenoid ; 3, Posterior ridge 

 of cricoid cartilage. Liga- 

 ments a, Hyo-epiglotti- 

 dean ; b, Thyro-epiglotti- 

 dean ; c, Arytenoidean ; 

 d d, Crico-arytenoidean ; 

 e e, Lateral crico-thyroi- 

 dean the epiglottis is 

 fastened down. 



FIG. 114. 



Larynx, hyoid bone 

 and commencement of 

 trachea anterior view. 

 2, Thyroid, 2, Cricoid car- 

 tilages. Ligaments a, 

 Hyo-thyroid ; a', Lateral 

 portion of the same ; 

 b, Crico-thyroidean ; c, 

 Crico-trachealis. 



