Kurkunpää

Kurkunpää is the Finnish term for the larynx, the cartilaginous organ located in the neck that forms the upper part of the airway and plays a central role in voice production. It sits between the pharynx above and the trachea below, and its position is roughly around the level of the C4–C6 vertebrae in adults. The larynx is protected by the thyroid cartilage and other support structures, with the hyoid bone situated above.

Anatomy and structure: The laryngeal skeleton comprises the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and smaller arytenoid, corniculate, and cuneiform cartilages. The epiglottis helps guard the airway during swallowing. Inside the larynx are the vocal cords, which are controlled by intrinsic muscles that adjust tension and length to produce different sounds. The larynx also contains the vestibular folds and the glottis, the opening between the vocal cords, whose size and tension determine pitch and volume.

Function: The kurkunpää maintains an open airway for breathing, closes off the airway during swallowing to prevent aspiration, and enables phonation through vibration of the vocal cords. It also participates in coughing and other protective reflexes that clear the airway.

Nerve and blood supply: Innervation is provided mainly by branches of the vagus nerve, specifically the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves. Blood is supplied by the superior and inferior thyroid arteries.

Clinical relevance: Common conditions include laryngitis, vocal cord nodules or polyps, edema, and laryngeal cancer. The kurkunpää is a key consideration in airway management, intubation, and various ENT evaluations. Developmentally, laryngeal cartilages arise from the pharyngeal arches, and normal function depends on integrated neural and muscular control.