Where are the ligaments located in a person. Human vocal cords: where are they located?

The vocal cords are located in the second third of the larynx. They serve to form the voice and help protect the tracheal area from fluid or food entering it. The timbre of a person’s voice directly depends on their condition, as well as, in principle, its very presence.

Structure

Let's take a closer look at what this organ consists of. The vocal cords are properly called folds. There are two pairs of them in the larynx.

• True. These are symmetrically located folds of the mucous layer of the larynx. They contain special muscle tissue. The structure of muscles located in different directions. Therefore, true folds can move as a common canvas, and any part of it (upper, lower or edges). This results in so many sounds. Fully closing, true ligaments do not give foreign objects get deeper into the human trachea.
• False. Located in front of the true. They have a weakly expressed bundle of muscles. They are also involved in sound production. However, they work lazily and do not fully close. A noticeable function is manifested only with guttural singing.

Voice timbre

At birth and in early childhood the timbre of the voice in children is very similar. In adolescence, the boys voice becomes rougher and becomes lower. . The larynx is influenced by sex hormones and changes its structure under their action. In men, during the period of their intensive development, it lengthens and becomes wider. Adam's apple appears. The tissue of the ligaments becomes thicker and stale. As a result, the voice becomes lower and rougher.

female hormones does not work on the larynx. That's why female voice as loud as a child's.

AT old age the vocal folds, like all other muscles, work worse. The space between the vocal cords ceases to close completely. The voice becomes raspy and raspy.

The hoarse voice of smokers is caused by constant exposure to nicotine. Tobacco smoke irritates the mucous membrane of the larynx. are narrowing blood vessels and bundles get less food. Their structure is thinning. The effect of aging of a voice turns out. The same role is played by alcohol and dusty air.

The vocal cords are paired muscular-fibrous formations that perform the function of human voice formation. Before analyzing the pathology of the ligaments, it is worth understanding the anatomy of the larynx - the organ that contains these structures.

Larynx - hollow organ, which is an element respiratory system person. The most important function is also voice formation. From above, the larynx is connected to lower section pharynx, and below it passes into the trachea.

Anatomical structure

The basis of the larynx is hyaline cartilage. They are connected to each other with the help of joints and ligaments. In the larynx are small (paired) and large unpaired cartilages: epiglottis, thyroid and cricoid cartilage (the last two can be palpated through the skin).

Inside the larynx is lined with a mucous membrane that performs protective, nourishing and other functions.

Outside, the cartilaginous skeleton is covered with muscles and fiber, which separates the organ from neighboring formations.

Folds of the larynx

Between the cartilages of the larynx there are two pairs of folds of the mucous membrane of the organ: vocal and vestibular.

The vestibular (false) folds also contain muscle elements, but they are underdeveloped. Therefore, these formations do not participate in the process of voice formation.

The mechanism of voice formation

Sound is created in the following way: under the arbitrary effort of a person, the width of the glottis changes and the degree of tension of the vocal cords during the passage of the air flow through the larynx. Resisting the flow of folds and forms a voice sound.

Causes of vocal cord pain

In most cases, the cause of pain in the vocal region of the larynx is inflammatory process- laryngitis, which occurs as colds due to hypothermia. However, the pathology of the vocal cords can be due to other serious reasons:

• Diphtheria.
• False croup.
• Tumors of the larynx.
• Foreign bodies.

Some factors affect the ligaments quite rarely, but their impact is quite possible. rare causes soreness of the vocal cords are:

• Injuries.
• Inhalation of poisonous substances.
• Polyps of the larynx.
• Tuberculosis.

Diagnosis of diseases of the larynx

If a person has symptoms of damage to the larynx and vocal cords for a long time, and home treatment does not help, you should consult a doctor who will conduct necessary research. Diagnostic methods include:

1. Inspection of the throat with a spatula - pharyngoscopy.
2. External palpation of the neck.
3. Laryngoscopy - examination of the larynx using a special device, a laryngoscope.
4. X-ray and other radiation techniques.
5. Biopsy - taking material for microscopic examination.

Acute laryngitis is inflammatory disease larynx and vocal cords, resulting from the action of bacteria and viruses. Symptoms of laryngitis

• Feeling of pain, soreness, discomfort in the throat.
• Hoarseness of voice.
• Cough, usually dry.
• Increase in body temperature (optional sign).

Causes of laryngitis

The inflammatory process develops most often after hypothermia, overstrain of the vocal cords, smoking and drinking alcohol, inhalation of air polluted with dust or gas. In the larynx, its own microflora is activated, to which the body is resistant when normal conditions. Another causative agent of laryngitis can be a virus (for example, influenza or measles).

Laryngitis can be caused allergic reaction due to inhalation of irritants, insect bites, the use of allergens.

Treatment of laryngitis

What to do with inflammation of the larynx? To relieve symptoms in early period treatment is recommended to create peace for vocal folds: quit smoking, ligament tension, exclusion of spicy and cold foods.

A sparing regimen for the whole organism is shown: rest, warmth, plentiful alkaline drinking.

With laryngitis, the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of a spray and inhalation. Sometimes antibiotics are shown in the same dosage forms.

Within two weeks at correct therapy the symptoms of the disease cease to disturb the patient.

Chronic laryngitis

At improper treatment acute laryngitis, concomitant smoking, professional overstrain of the vocal cords, harmful dust and gas factors production, the risk of developing chronic laryngitis is high.

The symptoms of the disease repeat sharp shape pathology. Chronic laryngitis aggravated several times a year and causes considerable inconvenience to the patient.

Treatment of chronic laryngitis

Therapy of the disease is complex, often low-impact.

Good results are shown by inhalations with oil and alkaline solutions. The use of a nebulizer is recommended - a device that sprays a substance in the form of tiny droplets.

Therapy of exacerbation of the disease is identical to the treatment of acute laryngitis.

When areas of mucosal hyperplasia are formed on the larynx - cell proliferation, it is necessary to surgical removal. Patients with this pathology are registered at the dispensary to prevent the development of laryngeal cancer.

Diphtheria is a disease that develops more often in children, caused by a bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This disease is manifested by the formation of croup in the throat - inflammation with the formation of films on the vocal folds that interfere with breathing and voice formation.

So-called false croup formed under the influence viral infection and strikes not only vocal cords but also other parts of the larynx.

Croup symptoms

The most striking manifestation of croup in both diphtheria and viral infection is a loud "barking" cough. This symptom is formed due to the difficulty of passing air through the larynx narrowed by the film. Other signs are:

1. Wheezing on breathing.
2. A bluish tint to the skin is cyanosis.
3. Increased body temperature.
4. Difficulty and increased respiratory rate.

Treatment

Depending on the cause of the pathology, croup is treated different ways. good action possess inhalation of humidified air, steam. In diphtheria, antibiotics are added to this treatment, which are used in various forms, including in inhalation.

At severe course pathologies use inhaled corticosteroids - hormonal drugs that effectively relieve inflammation in the larynx.

False croup caused by viruses cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics. Apply drugs that stimulate the immune system, the above inhalations. With croup in children, hospitalization is necessary to prevent the development of stenosis of the larynx - obstruction of the organ with the impossibility of breathing.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a tumor are prolonged pain in the throat, hoarseness, dry cough, difficulty breathing and swallowing. Symptoms appear later general weakness, weight loss, susceptibility to frequent colds.

Treatment of tumors

Treatment is exclusively surgical. With early detection of a tumor surgical intervention leads to good results treatment, and modern rehabilitation techniques allow maintaining the quality of life of patients.

Foreign bodies

What to do in this case? Be sure to see a doctor. Are removed foreign bodies using a bronchoscope that is inserted into the larynx. The doctor, under the control of his own vision, can easily detect and remove an object that has got there from the larynx.

Voice apparatus - system internal organs people who are involved in the formation of the voice. The vocal cords alone are not enough to be able to speak. Three main parts are needed: these are the lungs with a system of muscles, the larynx and air cavities, which are resonators and emitters.

The vocal apparatus includes the oral and nasal cavities, through which sound passes, resonating and gaining desired shape. This is followed by the pharynx and larynx, in which there are special folds - the vocal cords. The trachea, bronchi and lungs are also involved in the formation of sound, muscles help them. abdominal cavity. Also part voice apparatus a person can be called nervous system which connects certain parts of the brain to motor nerves in the listed bodies.

Thus, the vocal cords are one of the most important organs for the formation of sounds, which is located in the middle part of the apparatus, in the larynx. The larynx is located between the pharynx and trachea and connects these two organs. It consists of several cartilages: epiglottis, thyroid, cricoid and other pairs. The vocal cords or folds are attached to the thyroid and arytenoids: this is the mucous membrane of the larynx, which is not smooth, but folded. It is made up of muscle and connective tissue.

The folds are located on the right and left in the form of two elastic formations, in which the muscles participate. They are shaped like lips, only arranged vertically. Between them there is a space - the glottis, which is needed not only for the formation of sounds, but also for the protection of the respiratory tract during eating.

When a person breathes, the vocal cords are widely spaced, and the air flows smoothly and without interruption through the gap, entering or leaving the lungs. But when you need to pronounce a sound, the muscles of the mucous membrane of the larynx strain the vocal cords, the gap closes, then under the influence of pressure it opens, releasing some of the air. The folds approach each other and begin to vibrate. As a result, the air vibrates, forming sounds of different pitches. The volume can be controlled by the force with which the air is pushed out, and the pitch of the sounds depends on the frequency of vibration and the level of tension in the ligaments. With the help of muscles, folds can oscillate not only with their entire surface, but also with parts - for example, only with the edges or half of their mass.

Advice 2: What human organs are involved in breathing

Breathing is a whole range of processes in the human body that ensure its continuous supply of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide. Supporting life, the respiratory system activates whole line organs.

Breathing is divided into five stages. The first of them is external respiration or ventilation of the lungs, the second is the exchange of gases in the lungs between alveolar air and blood. The third stage is the transport of gases by the blood. The fourth stage of respiration is the exchange of gases between the blood of large capillaries and tissue cells. The fifth stage is internal breathing.

Functions of the respiratory system

The main function of respiration is the renewal of oxygen in the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from the body. But there are additional functions of the respiratory system:

1. Participation in thermoregulation. The temperature of the inhaled air in some way affects the temperature of the body as a whole. When you exhale, heat is released into the air.

2. Participation in the selection processes. Veste with carbon dioxide when exhaling, water vapor is also released from the body. This also applies to other substances, such as alcohol.

3. Participation in immune reactions. Some cells in the airways are capable of killing bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms.

The respiratory tract has a number of other functions:

1. air heating and cooling;
2. air humidification;
3. air purification.

The structure of the respiratory system

The organs of the respiratory system are nasal cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs.

Begins airway from the nasal cavity. It is separated from the mouth by hard and soft palate. The nasal cavity has a bony and cartilaginous framework. Thus, the nose is divided into two parts - the right and left side. The nasal cavity has three nasal passages: upper, middle and lower.

The larynx is located at the level of 4-6 cervical vertebrae. It is formed by paired and unpaired cartilages. Paired cartilages - arytenoid, corniculate and sphenoid. Unpaired cartilages- thyroid and cricoid. At the top edge thyroid cartilage you can see the epiglottis. It closes the entrance to the larynx during swallowing. Between the thyroid and arytenoid cartilages are two vocal cords. The space between them is the glottis.

The trachea is a continuation of the larynx. It is divided into right and left bronchi. The bifurcation of the trachea is the place where it divides. The length of the trachea can vary from 9 to 12 cm. The transverse diameter is from 15 to 18 mm.

The bronchi in the lungs branch into smaller bronchi in a tree-like manner. Meanwhile, they form even smaller branches called bronchioles.

AT chest cavity a person's lungs are located. Right lung is divided into three parts, and the left into two. Both lungs are covered with a membrane - the pleura. The pleura consists of two sheets - internal (visceral) and external (parietal). The inner leaf is the outer shell of the lungs and covers them. Between the sheets of the pleura is the smallest closed capillary space. It is called the pleural cavity.

Pharynx- this is a channel with muscular walls that connects the mouth and sinuses with the larynx and esophagus; the pharynx is also an organ digestive system. Larynx- a canal with cartilaginous walls connecting the pharynx with the trachea; air passes through the larynx into and out of the lungs, and this organ also acts as a voice resonator.

It is a funnel-shaped channel 12 to 14 cm long and 35 mm wide at the top and 15 mm at the bottom. The pharynx is located behind the sinuses and oral cavity, it deepens into the neck, and then passes into the larynx and esophagus. It is an integral part of both the respiratory system and the digestive system: the air we breathe, as well as food, passes through the throat.
There are three segments in the pharynx: upper pharynx, or the nasopharynx, connected by its anterior wall with the nasal sinuses, on the upper wall of which there is a formation of lymphatic tissue called the tonsil of the pharynx; middle pharynx, or oropharynx, which communicates with top the oral cavity and on the side walls has formations from the lymphatic tissue, called palatine tonsils; and Bottom part pharynx, or laryngeal-pharyngeal space, which connects in front with the larynx, and behind with the esophagus.

The implementation of the dual function that the pharynx performs is possible thanks to the epiglottis - a tennis racket-shaped formation located on the upper wall of the larynx; normally the epiglottis remains open, allowing air to pass from the larynx to the nose and vice versa, however, during swallowing, the epiglottis closes and blocks the entrance to the larynx - this forces the food bolus to go up the esophagus.

This is a channel in the form of a truncated cone, consisting of many articular cartilage connected by various muscles, membranes and ligaments. The larynx is located between the pharynx and the trachea, its size changes with age: in an adult, the larynx reaches 3.5-4.5 cm in length, 4 cm in transverse and 2.5-3.5 cm in anterior-posterior section.

In the upper part of the larynx is the epiglottis - cartilage, the movements of which direct air into the trachea during breathing and limit its flow during swallowing. In addition to supplying air to the lungs and removing it, the larynx performs at least one more important function: Generates human voice sounds. On the inner surface larynx on each side there are two folds: fibrous - false vocal cords and fibromuscular - true vocal cords, separated by a V-shaped slit called the glottis, which is responsible for the formation of sounds (for more details about the structures of the larynx, you can read in the following articles: muscles of the larynx, cartilages and joints of the larynx, cavity of the larynx, vocal folds of the larynx, and functions of the larynx).

From the ligamentous apparatus of the larynx, it is worth remembering the following: the larynx is attached to hyoid bone on the thyroid-sublingual membrane, and between the arch of the cricoid and the lower edge of the thyroid cartilage, a strong elastic cricoid ligament is stretched.

Small ligaments strengthen both joints of the larynx and fix the epiglottis to the hyoid bone and angle of the thyroid cartilage. The most famous is the vocal cord, it is located between the thyroid cartilage and the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage of the corresponding side. Parallel to it and a little higher, there is a not pronounced vestibular fold. Both are paired.

The vocal cords form the glottis. How the voice changes depends on its width and the degree of tension of the ligaments themselves. Both are determined by the contraction of one or another striated muscle. Therefore, having considered the cartilaginous, articular and ligamentous apparatus, it is logical to pay attention to the muscles of the larynx. To understand the principle underlying the movement of the larynx.

The sounds that a person makes are due to the vibration of the vocal cords at the moment when air passes from the lungs back into oral cavity; man forms words from sounds. When inhaling, as well as when exhaling, when a person is not talking, his vocal cords are relaxed and lean against the walls of the larynx so that the air passes without any resistance. Conversely, when a person speaks, during exhalation, thanks to the muscles that contract the laryngeal cartilages, the vocal cords tighten, approach the midline of the larynx and vibrate before the air from the lungs is released. So, according to the degree of tension and the shape that the vocal cords take in certain moment, sounds of different pitches are formed.

Hello friends, I suddenly found out to my annoyance that there is no article on my blog devoted exclusively to the vocal cords, their structure and principle of operation. Now I will correct this matter, of course, many of you are already familiar with this issue, but many novice singers, judging by personal experience not completely, but many have absolutely no idea what the vocal cords look like!

And so, for starters, I suggest watching a video cut from several studies, where you can have a great look at the work of the vocal cords in action!

In my opinion, this filming is done using an endoscope, and if I'm not mistaken, this is a tube with a camera that penetrates the larynx through the nasal cavity and, as it were, looks from above at the ligaments and the larynx as a whole, then everything is clear ...
The vocal cords consist of the vocal cord (tendon) and the vocal muscle, on the one hand they are attached to the arytenoid cartilages, and on the other hand to inside thyroid cartilage (anterior wall of the larynx).
It is more logical to call the vocal cords - folds, if only because of their appearance(two parallel folds protruding from opposite sides of the larynx). The structure of the vocal folds is unique, because the tendons not only attach the vocal muscle to the cartilage, but also pierce it through, to the middle of their length, which, mind you, makes it possible to close the vocal cords, both in its entire length, and separately, by any part (anterior part, back, middle). It is because of this structural feature of the ligament that they are called ligaments, more often than folds!
From above, the vocal cords are covered with a mucous membrane, which makes them more resilient and elastic, and also allows for clearer and easier resonation. From what the voice becomes sonorous, for example, in the article “Smoking”, I wrote about changes in the mucous membrane of the larynx in smokers, which is why their voices are often hoarse!
Also, there is a second pair of vocal cords, they are located above the true cords, they have a different shape and structure, they are not stretched over the entire length of the larynx, they close very sluggishly and slowly, in addition, not completely, therefore, they cannot be used in singing! False folds are also called vestibular folds or vestibular folds. False ligaments also close during the work of true ligaments, but they do not carry any benefit for the voice. The vocal cords make a coughing noise similar to a growl, many rock and jazz vocalists use this technique in singing and it is called "growling". Of course, in jazz - this technique is not as brutal as in rock, but it came from jazz. By the way, I find growling a much more useful style of singing than singing on tight true chords. Of course, you can harm yourself with growling, but the true links are more likely to be erased from the constant replay than the false ones from the growl! So, false ligaments work in guttural singing, true ligaments are practically inactive there!