---
title: "Larynx Anatomy - Spaces and Compartments of Larynx"
description: "A guide to the Spaces and Compartments of Larynx for medical students and ENT residents."
source: "The ENT Resident"
author: "Dr. Mausumi Das"
canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/larynx-anatomy-spaces-compartments"
categories: ["Larynx and Trachea"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbFmnshxOU4"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/larynx-anatomy-spaces-compartments.png"
---

# Larynx Anatomy - Spaces and Compartments of Larynx

A guide to the Spaces and Compartments of Larynx for medical students and ENT residents. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbFmnshxOU4

## 🎙️ Larynx Anatomy – Part 3: Spaces and Compartments

### 🧭 Spaces of the Larynx

The spaces in the larynx are important as potential pathways for tumor spread. 

Understanding them has critical implications for oncologic management and surgical planning.

#### 🔸 **1- Pre-Epiglottic Space of Boyer**

- **Shape**: Wedge-shaped; apex directed inferiorly  

- **Boundaries**:  
  - **Anterior**: Hyoid bone, thyrohyoid membrane, thyroid cartilage  
  - **Posterior**: Infrahyoid part of epiglottis, quadrangular membrane  
  - **Superior**: Hyoepiglottic ligament  
  - **Lateral**: Communicates freely with paraglottic space  

- **Contents**: Fat, areolar tissue, lymphatics

>What is the surgical importance of Pre-Epiglottic Space of Boyer?

#### 🔸 **2- Paraglottic Space (Tucker’s Space)**

- **Boundaries**:  
  - **Lateral**: Thyroid cartilage  
  - **Medial**: Quadrangular membrane (above), conus elasticus (below)  
  - **Posterior**: Pyriform sinus mucosa  
  - **Anterior**: Continuous with pre-epiglottic space  

- **Contents**: Laryngeal ventricle, saccule

>What is the surgical importance of Paraglottic Space?

#### 🔸 **3. Reinke’s Space**

- **Location**: Just beneath the epithelium of the vocal folds  

- **Component of**: Superficial layer of the lamina propria  

- **Boundaries**:  
  - **Superior & Inferior**: Arcuate lines  
  - **Anterior**: Anterior commissure  
  - **Posterior**: Vocal process of arytenoids  

- **Contents**: Loose connective tissue

>What is Reinke's Oedema?
---

### 🏛️ Compartments of the Larynx

The larynx is divided into three compartments by the Vestibular and Vocal folds.

#### 🟨 **1- Vestibule (Supraglottic Compartment)**

- Upper compartment.
- **Extent**: From laryngeal inlet to vestibular folds  

>What are the **boundaries of laryngeal inlet**?

#### 🟩 **2- Ventricle (Middle Compartment / Sinus of Larynx)**

- **Location**: Between vestibular and vocal folds  

- **Feature**: Contains the saccule of Hilton  

- **Saccule**:  
  - Mucosal diverticulum that ascends between vestibular ligament and thyroid cartilage

>What is Laryngocele?

#### 🟥 **3- Infraglottic Compartment**

- **Extent**: From vocal folds to lower border of cricoid cartilage (~1 cm)  

- **Continuation**: Into the trachea

---

### 🧩 Important Spaces Between Folds

#### 🔹 **Rima Vestibuli**

- Space between vestibular folds  

- Seen as a triangular gap when folds are apart

#### 🔹 **Rima Glottidis**

- Space between the vocal folds and arytenoid cartilages  

- Narrowest part of the laryngeal cavity  

- **Dimensions**:  
  - ~24 mm (males)  
  - ~16 mm (females)  

- **Parts**:  
  - **Anterior 3/5 (membranous)**: Phonatory glottis  
  - **Posterior 2/5 (cartilaginous)**: Respiratory glottis

>What structures form the **Phonatory glottis** and **Respiratory glottis**?

---

### 🎭 Structure of Folds

#### 🟣 **Vestibular Folds (False Cords)**

Formed by mucous membrane overlying:
- Vestibular ligament (from lower border of quadrangular membrane)  
- Fibers of thyroarytenoid muscle  
- Mucous glands  

>What are **attachments of Vestibular folds**?

#### 🔵 **Vocal Folds (True Cords)**

📍 **Extent and Attachments of the Vocal Folds**

- **Anterior**: Middle of the thyroid cartilage angle  
- **Posterior**: Vocal process of the arytenoid cartilages  
- **Supported by**: Upper border of the conus elasticus

🧬 **Histological Layers of the Vocal Folds**

The vocal folds are layered structures, with each layer contributing to their vibratory properties.

**From superficial to deep:**

1️⃣ **Epithelium**
- Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium  
- Provides a smooth surface and withstands mechanical stress

2️⃣ **Lamina Propria**

Divided into three layers:

- **Superficial Layer (Reinke's Space)**  
  - Loose, gelatinous connective tissue  
  - Allows for vibratory movement  
  - Also known as Reinke’s space

- **Intermediate Layer**  
  - Contains elastic fibers  
  - Provides elasticity

- **Deep Layer**  
  - Rich in collagen fibers  
  - Provides strength and structure

>Which layers form the **Vocal Ligament**?

3️⃣ **Vocalis Muscle**

- Forms the main body of the vocal fold  
- Responsible for tension and fine control of the vocal folds during phonation

---

#### 🧱 **Regional Variations in Vocal Fold Structure**

The structure of the vocal fold is not uniform along its entire length. There are three distinct areas where the tissue becomes denser and serves special functions:

1. Anterior Commissure Tendon (Broyles Ligament)
2. Anterior Macula Flava
3. Posterior Macula Flava

>What is Broyles ligament?

---

## About This Note

This free ENT note on Larynx Anatomy - Spaces and Compartments of Larynx was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture.

Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/larynx-anatomy-spaces-compartments

When citing or referencing this content, please credit The ENT Resident and link to the canonical page above.

## Related Notes by Category

- Larynx and Trachea: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/larynx-and-trachea.md

## About The ENT Resident

The ENT Resident is an educational website and resource library created by Dr. Mausumi Das (MS ENT) for ENT residents, ENT postgraduates preparing for exams, and MBBS students.

Dr. Mausumi Das writes the notes, draws the diagrams, and records the lectures herself.

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The ENT Resident provides educational material for medical learning and revision. It does not provide patient-specific medical advice, diagnosis, or emergency care, and it is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

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