laryngos

Laryngos is not a standard English term in medical usage. In contemporary English, the structure is usually referred to as the larynx, with the plural larynges. The form laryngos may appear in some cross-language or historical contexts, but it is not widely used in modern clinical practice.

Anatomy and location

The larynx is an air-filled organ located in the neck, between the pharynx above and the trachea below. It is anchored to the hyoid bone and sits roughly opposite the C3 to C6 vertebrae. The larynx contains a framework of cartilages, most notably the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, plus paired arytenoid cartilages and smaller structures such as the epiglottis, corniculate and cuneiform cartilages. The vocal cords (true vocal folds) and the supraglottic folds are contained within the laryngeal cavity, which is lined by mucosa and supported by ligaments and membranes.

Functions

The larynx has several key roles. It provides an open airway to the lungs and protects the lower airways during swallowing. It also houses the vocal apparatus, producing sound through the vibration of the vocal cords as air passes through the glottis. The larynx participates in coughing and other protective reflexes and helps regulate pressure changes during activities such as lifting and childbirth.

Clinical aspects

Common conditions affecting the larynx include laryngitis (inflammation causing hoarseness or loss of voice), vocal cord nodules or polyps, and laryngeal cancer. Other issues include laryngeal edema, stenosis, and paradoxical vocal fold movement. Diagnostic methods include indirect or direct laryngoscopy, sometimes supplemented by stroboscopy to assess vocal fold vibration. Treatments range from voice therapy and medical management to surgical interventions such as microlaryngoscopy or cordectomy, depending on the condition.

Etymology

The combining form laryng(o)- is derived from the Greek word for the throat, and is used in many medical terms to denote the larynx.