4 i2 HEAD AND NECK 



or recess, termed the ventriculus laryngis (O.T. hiryngeal 

 sinus). The dissector should endeavour to gauge the 

 extent of this, 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. This leads into the appendix 

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

 ascends between the ventricular fold and the lamina of 



Thyreoid cartilage 



Vocal ligament 



Rima glottidis 



.Vocal process of 

 _ arytaenoid cartilage 

 Arytenoid 

 A cartilage 



FIG. 1 60. Diagram of the rima glottidis. 

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



the thyreoid cartilage. This sac is of variable extent, but 

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

 the thyreoid cartilage. 



Distend the ventricle, and, if possible, the appendix, with cotton 

 wadding. This will greatly facilitate the subsequent dissection. 



The Lowest Subdivision of the Laryngeal Cavity (Fig. 157) 

 leads directly downwards into the trachea. Above, it is 

 narrow and laterally compressed, but it gradually widens out 

 until in its lowest part it is circular. It is bounded by the 

 sloping inner surface of the conus elasticus, and by the inner 



