THE VOCAL APPARATUS 



13T 



Fig. 81. 

 larynx, 

 view. 



Cartilages of 

 back (dorsal) 



yellow fibrocartilage. They are the epiglottis, which is 

 attached to the upper front part of the larynx and 

 forms a lid to the chamber ; the 

 cartilages of Santorini, little horn- 

 shaped projections perched on top 

 of the arytenoids ; and the carti- 

 lages of Weisberg, which are still 

 smaller bits of cartilage lying in 

 folds of the mucous membrane in 

 the sides of the upper membranous 

 lining of the larynx. 



A sheet of membrane connects 

 the thyroid cartilage with the hyoid 

 bone at the root of the tongue (Figs. 

 79 and 80). The thyroid is also joined to the cricoid by 

 joints with synovial membrane, and the lower projections, 

 or horns, of the thyroid clasp the cricoid closely, though 

 permitting movement between them. The cricoid is at- 

 tached by membrane to the upper cartilaginous ring of the 

 trachea, or windpipe. These parts, with the many small 

 muscles and ligaments attached, form the vocal apparatus. 



184. The larynx is flattened behind, where it closely 

 adheres to the esophagus (Fig. 82). The esophagus is 

 the muscular tube which conveys food and drink from the 

 mouth to the stomach. Its enlarged upper portion is 

 called the pharynx, and lies back of the cavity of the 

 mouth. The larynx lies below and in front of the 

 pharynx. In ordinary respiration the epiglottis stands 

 nearly erect, leaving open the glottis^ or passage into the 

 larynx. In the process of swallowing, the epiglottis is 

 pressed backward and downward, closing the glottis and 

 permitting the food to slide down the esophagus instead 

 of dropping into the windpipe. 



