1Common carotid artery
Function: Supplies blood to the head and neck. Origin: Arises from the aortic arch (left) or brachiocephalic trunk (right). Structures/pathways: Bifurcates into internal and external carotid arteries. Note: Important for cerebral circulation; can be assessed for plaque or stenosis.
2External carotid artery
Function: Supplies blood to the face and neck. Origin: Branches from the common carotid artery. Structures/pathways: Gives rise to several arteries, including the superior thyroid and lingual arteries. Note: Its branches are critical for facial structure surgeries.
3Inferior thyroid artery
Function: Supplies blood to the thyroid gland. Origin: Branches from the thyrocervical trunk. Structures/pathways: Innervates the inferior part of the thyroid gland. Note: Vital for thyroid function and involved in thyroid surgeries.
4Subclavian artery
Function: Supplies blood to the upper limbs. Origin: Originates from the brachiocephalic trunk (right) or aortic arch (left). Structures/pathways: Gives rise to the vertebral artery and internal thoracic artery. Note: Its branches are critical for upper extremity and brain circulation.
5Superior laryngeal artery
Function: Supplies blood to the larynx. Origin: Branches from the superior thyroid artery. Structures/pathways: Innervates the laryngeal structures above the vocal folds. Note: Plays an essential role in maintaining vocal health.
6Superior thyroid artery
Function: Supplies blood to the thyroid gland. Origin: Branches from the external carotid artery. Structures/pathways: Provides blood to the upper part of the thyroid gland. Note: Important for assessing thyroid vascularization.
7Thyrocervical trunk
Function: Supplies blood to the thyroid gland, neck, and shoulders. Origin: Branches from the subclavian artery. Structures/pathways: Gives rise to the inferior thyroid artery. Note: Key for thyroid and cervical blood supply.
8Hyoid bone - body
Function: Supports the tongue and provides attachment for neck muscles. Origin: Originates from the pharyngeal arches. Structures/pathways: Does not articulate with other bones. Note: Highly mobile during swallowing and vocalization; critical for airway management.
9Hyoid bone - greater horn
Function: Provides support for the tongue and attachment for muscles. Origin: Part of the hyoid bone. Structures/pathways: Connects to the body of the hyoid. Note: Acts as a point of attachment for muscles that elevate the larynx.
10Hyoid bone - lesser horn
Function: Serves as an attachment point for muscles. Origin: Part of the hyoid bone. Structures/pathways: Located at the junction of the body and greater horns. Note: Important for the overall mobility of the hyoid bone.
11Styloid process
Function: Provides attachment for muscles and ligaments. Origin: Originates from the temporal bone. Structures/pathways: Supports the muscles of the throat. Note: Plays a role in the mobility of the larynx and pharynx.
12Arytenoid cartilages
Function: Regulates tension in the vocal cords. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Articulates with the cricoid cartilage and vocal folds. Note: Critical for sound modulation and phonation.
13Corniculate cartilage
Function: Supports the arytenoid cartilages. Origin: Located at the apex of the arytenoids. Structures/pathways: Plays a role in laryngeal function. Note: Contributes to the overall structural integrity of the larynx.
14Cricoid cartilage
Function: Provides structural support for the airway. Origin: Located below the thyroid cartilage. Structures/pathways: Forms the base of the larynx. Note: The only complete ring of cartilage in the airway; important for maintaining tracheal patency.
15Cricothyroid membrane: median cricothyroid ligament
Function: Provides stability to the larynx. Origin: Connects the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. Structures/pathways: Plays a role in phonation. Note: Clinically significant for procedures like cricothyrotomy.
16Cuneiform cartilage
Function: Supports the laryngeal structure. Origin: Located within the aryepiglottic fold. Structures/pathways: Helps maintain the airway. Note: Provides additional support to the larynx.
17Epiglottis
Function: Prevents food from entering the airway. Origin: Located at the entrance of the larynx. Structures/pathways: Folds over the laryngeal inlet during swallowing. Note: Made of elastic cartilage, allowing flexibility during swallowing.
18Inferior horn of thyroid cartilage
Function: Provides support to the thyroid gland. Origin: Part of the thyroid cartilage structure. Structures/pathways: Connects to the cricoid cartilage. Note: Important for stability and function of the thyroid gland.
19Laryngeal prominence
Function: Serves as a landmark for neck anatomy. Origin: Located on the thyroid cartilage. Structures/pathways: Plays a role in laryngeal structure. Note: Larger in males; significant for voice changes during puberty.
20Superior horn of thyroid cartilage
Function: Provides attachment for muscles. Origin: Part of the thyroid cartilage structure. Structures/pathways: Connects to the body of the hyoid. Note: Plays a role in the elevation of the larynx.
21Thyrohyoid (hyothyroid) membrane
Function: Provides support for the laryngeal structures. Origin: Connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone. Structures/pathways: Facilitates movement during swallowing. Note: Important for the overall support of the laryngeal apparatus.
22Thyroid cartilage
Function: Provides protection for the vocal cords. Origin: Forms the bulk of the laryngeal framework. Structures/pathways: Involved in voice modulation. Note: The largest cartilage of the larynx, crucial for phonation.
23Tracheal rings (cartilages)
Function: Maintain the patency of the trachea. Origin: Located in the trachea. Structures/pathways: Prevent airway collapse. Note: C-shaped rings that provide structural integrity.
24Aryepiglottic fold
Function: Helps seal the airway during swallowing. Origin: Connects the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages. Structures/pathways: Plays a role in phonation. Note: Contributes to the protective mechanism of the airway.
25Quadrangular membrane
Function: Supports the vestibular folds. Origin: Extends from the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages. Structures/pathways: Contributes to sound modulation. Note: Contains the vestibular folds, which protect the vocal folds.
26Vestibular fold (false vocal cord; ventricular fold)
Function: Provides protection to the true vocal cords. Origin: Located above the true vocal cords. Structures/pathways: Involved in airway closure. Note: Plays a role in sound resonance and airway protection.
27Vocal fold (true vocal cord)
Function: Produces sound. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Vibrates during phonation. Note: Critical for voice production; vibrates over 100 times per second in men.
28Thyroid gland
Function: Produces hormones regulating metabolism. Origin: Located in the neck. Structures/pathways: Receives blood supply from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries. Note: Essential for metabolic regulation and homeostasis.
29Cricoarytenoid joint
Function: Allows for movement of the arytenoid cartilages. Origin: Located between the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages. Structures/pathways: Facilitates vocal cord tension adjustment. Note: Important for controlling vocal fold abduction and adduction.
30Cricothyroid joint
Function: Permits rotation and gliding. Origin: Located between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. Structures/pathways: Assists in pitch modulation. Note: Key for changing vocal pitch during phonation.
31Anterior belly of digastric muscle
Function: Helps depress the mandible and elevate the hyoid. Origin: Originates from the mandible. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the mylohyoid nerve. Note: Plays a role in swallowing and vocalization.
32Cricothyroid muscle
Function: Tenses the vocal cords. Origin: Originates from the cricoid cartilage. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the external laryngeal nerve. Note: Critical for pitch elevation; unique as it is innervated differently than other laryngeal muscles.
33Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Function: Adducts the vocal folds. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Note: Important for closing the vocal folds during phonation.
34Mylohyoid muscle
Function: Forms the floor of the mouth. Origin: Originates from the mandible. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the mylohyoid nerve. Note: Supports the tongue and aids in swallowing.
35Oblique arytenoid muscle
Function: Adducts the vocal folds. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Note: Helps in closing the laryngeal inlet during swallowing.
36Omohyoid muscle
Function: Depresses the hyoid bone. Origin: Originates from the scapula. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Note: Important for the overall stability of the hyoid during speech
and swallowing.
37Posterior belly of digastric muscle
Function: Elevates the hyoid bone. Origin: Originates from the mastoid notch. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the facial nerve. Note: Plays a role in stabilizing the hyoid during speech.
38Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
Function: Abducts the vocal folds. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Note: The only muscle responsible for opening the vocal folds; crucial for breathing.
39Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Function: Rotates and flexes the neck. Origin: Originates from the sternum and clavicle. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the accessory nerve. Note: Important for neck mobility and stability.
40Sternohyoid muscle
Function: Depresses the hyoid bone. Origin: Originates from the sternum. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Note: Helps maintain the position of the hyoid during speech.
41Sternothyroid muscle
Function: Depresses the thyroid cartilage. Origin: Originates from the sternum. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the ansa cervicalis. Note: Important for stabilizing the larynx.
42Stylohyoid muscle
Function: Elevates and retracts the hyoid bone. Origin: Originates from the styloid process. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the facial nerve. Note: Aids in the swallowing process by moving the hyoid.
43Thyrohyoid muscle
Function: Elevates the thyroid cartilage and depresses the hyoid. Origin: Originates from the thyroid cartilage. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the nerve to thyrohyoid. Note: Important for hyoid and laryngeal movement.
44Transverse arytenoid
Function: Adducts the vocal folds. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Note: Works synergistically with other adductors to close the glottis.
45Vocalis muscle
Function: Modulates tension in the vocal folds. Origin: Located in the larynx. Structures/pathways: Innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Note: Fine-tunes pitch; crucial for vocal quality.
46CN X - Vagus nerve (in neck)
Function: Controls functions of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. Origin: Arises from the brainstem. Structures/pathways: Innervates structures in the neck and thorax. Note: Provides both motor and sensory innervation to the larynx.
47Ansa cervicalis
Function: Provides motor innervation to infrahyoid muscles. Origin: Arises from the cervical plexus. Structures/pathways: Innervates sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and omohyoid muscles. Note: Important for neck muscle function and stability.
48External laryngeal nerve
Function: Innervates the cricothyroid muscle. Origin: Branches from the vagus nerve. Structures/pathways: Plays a role in pitch modulation. Note: Critical to voice production; injury can lead to pitch issues.
49Internal laryngeal nerve
Function: Provides sensory innervation to the larynx above the vocal folds. Origin: Branches from the vagus nerve. Structures/pathways: Contributes to the cough reflex. Note: Known as the "guardian of the airway."
50Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
Function: Innervates most intrinsic muscles of the larynx. Origin: Branches off the vagus nerve. Structures/pathways: Loops under the aortic arch. Note: Its path makes it susceptible to injury during thoracic surgeries.
51Nerve to thyrohyoid muscle
Function: Innervates the thyrohyoid muscle. Origin: Branches from the hypoglossal nerve. Structures/pathways: Aids in hyoid bone movement. Note: Important for the stability of the laryngeal apparatus.
52Right recurrent laryngeal nerve
Function: Innervates most intrinsic muscles of the larynx. Origin: Branches off the vagus nerve. Structures/pathways: Loops under the right subclavian artery. Note: Similar to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve in function.
53Glottis
Function: Regulates airflow during breathing and speaking. Origin: Space between the vocal folds. Structures/pathways: Involved in phonation. Note: The glottis is crucial for controlling airflow and sound production.
54Infraglottic cavity/space
Function: Connects the larynx to the trachea. Origin: Located below the vocal folds. Structures/pathways: Involved in sound production. Note: The walls are formed by the lateral cricothyroid membrane.
55Laryngeal inlet (laryngeal aditus, laryngeal aperture)
Function: Regulates airflow. Origin: Entrance to the larynx. Structures/pathways: Plays a role in swallowing and phonation. Note: Protects the airway during swallowing.
56Laryngeal ventricle (ventricle of the larynx)
Function: Allows for resonance. Origin: Space between the false vocal cords and true vocal cords. Structures/pathways: Involved in sound modulation. Note: The location where mucus can accumulate, affecting vocal quality.
57Laryngeal vestibule
Function: Plays a role in the airway. Origin: Upper part of the larynx. Structures/pathways: Assists in sound production. Note: Connects the laryngeal inlet to the vestibular folds.
58Rima glottidis
Function: Regulates airflow. Origin: Opening between the vocal folds. Structures/pathways: Crucial for phonation. Note: Closure of this space increases intra-abdominal pressure.
59Brachiocephalic vein
Function: Drains blood from the head and upper limbs. Origin: Formed by the merging of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. Structures/pathways: Empties into the superior vena cava. Note: Significant in venous drainage; can be affected by thoracic conditions.
60Inferior thyroid vein
Function: Drains blood from the thyroid gland. Origin: Connects to the internal jugular vein. Structures/pathways: Helps maintain thyroid vascularization. Note: Important for thyroid function and overall neck circulation.
61Internal jugular vein
Function: Drains blood from the brain, face, and neck. Origin: Collects blood from the cranial cavity. Structures/pathways: Empties into the brachiocephalic vein. Note: Major vessel for venous drainage; often used for central venous access.
62Subclavian vein
Function: Drains blood from the upper limbs. Origin: Forms from the merging of the axillary vein. Structures/pathways: Joins the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein. Note: Important for managing upper body venous return; can be involved in central line placements.