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Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Anatomy:
A 90 Second Crash Course

Tim Stockdale, SLPD, CCC-SLP

Some important laryngeal and pharyngeal anatomy as it applies to deglutition/swallowing:

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This video is a superior view, like you'd see when doing a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

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Start by orienting with the true vocal folds-- together, they point anteriorly, toward the patient's face.

 

Then move up/superiorly to false vocal folds (vestibular / ventricular), which cover much of the true vocal folds. 

 

Continue to the aryepiglottic folds (think ARY, as in ARYtenoids, and EPI, as as in EPIglottis).

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Distinguish between the lower respiratory tract (below the true vocal folds) and upper respiratory tract (above the true vocal folds).

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Also, use landmarks to anchor yourself, such as the valleculae and pyriform sinuses.

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