The laryngeal artery, which supplies blood to the larynx, is spelled /ləˈrɪndʒiəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by a stress on the second syllable. The "n" in the third syllable is silent, making it sound like "j" instead of "n". The final syllable is pronounced with a clear "l" sound. The spelling may seem intimidating, but with practice and familiarity with IPA phonetics, it can be easily pronounced and remembered.
The laryngeal artery is a small branch of the superior thyroid artery that supplies blood to the larynx, a crucial structure located at the upper part of the trachea. The larynx plays a vital role in human communication, facilitating voice production and protecting the airway during swallowing. The laryngeal artery arises from the superior thyroid artery, which itself is a branch of the external carotid artery. It runs a short course towards the larynx and divides into two main branches, namely the superior and inferior laryngeal arteries.
The superior laryngeal artery penetrates the thyrohyoid membrane, reaching the larynx from above. It primarily supplies the laryngeal muscles and structures above the vocal cords. It also gives rise to the external laryngeal nerve, which innervates the cricothyroid muscle, involved in voice pitch modulation.
On the other hand, the inferior laryngeal artery descends posteriorly to the thyroid gland and is responsible for supplying the inferior part of the larynx, including the vocal cords and surrounding tissues. It anastomoses (connects) with the superior laryngeal artery and other nearby vessels, ensuring a rich blood supply to the larynx.
The laryngeal artery's importance lies in its role in providing oxygen and nutrients to the laryngeal structures, enabling their proper functioning. Moreover, it also plays a critical role in several surgical procedures, particularly those involving the larynx.
The word "laryngeal" comes from the Greek term "larynx", which refers to the structure in the throat involved in voice production. The term "larynx" was derived from the Greek word "larugx" meaning "the upper windpipe".
The term "artery" originates from the Latin word "arteria", which was derived from the Greek word "artēria" meaning "airpipe, windpipe, artery". The ancient Greeks believed that arteries were solely air-filled vessels, as they only observed them empty during dissections.
Overall, the term "laryngeal artery" refers to an artery that supplies blood to the larynx, specifically the branches of the superior thyroid artery and the inferior thyroid artery.