---
title: "Larynx Anatomy - Parts, Blood Supply, Lymphatic Drainage of Larynx"
description: "A guide to the parts and drainage 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-blood-supply-lymphatic-drainage"
categories: ["Larynx and Trachea"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nki1TQrj-jE"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/larynx-blood-supply-lymphatic-drainage.png"
---

# Larynx Anatomy - Parts, Blood Supply, Lymphatic Drainage of Larynx

A guide to the parts and drainage of Larynx for medical students and ENT residents. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nki1TQrj-jE

## 🗂️ Anatomy of Larynx – Part 1: Parts, Extent, Blood Supply, Lymphatic Drainage

### 📏 Measurements of the Larynx

| Measurement | Male | Female |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length | 44 mm | 36 mm |
| Transverse Diameter | 43 mm | 41 mm |
| Anteroposterior Diameter | 36 mm | 26 mm |
| Circumference | 136 mm | 112 mm |

> **Note**: Differences are negligible in children but become significant after puberty due to hormonal changes in males (growth of thyroid cartilage, deepening of voice, etc.).

---

### 📍 Extent of Larynx

- Extends from the **laryngeal inlet** (upper limit) to the **lower border of the cricoid cartilage**
- Lies opposite **C3 to C6 vertebrae**
- The larynx sits **higher in females** than in males

---

### 🧩 Parts of Larynx

The larynx is divided into **three parts** by the false and true vocal cords:

1️⃣ **Supraglottis**
- Begins at the **epiglottis and aryepiglottic (AE) folds**
- Extends to the **apex of the laryngeal ventricle**
- **Includes**: Epiglottis, AE folds, arytenoids

2️⃣ **Glottis**
- Extends from **apex of laryngeal ventricle** to **1 cm below the free edge of vocal cords**
- **Includes**: True vocal cords, anterior and posterior commissures

3️⃣ **Subglottis**
- From **1 cm below the vocal cords** to the **lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)**

---

### 🧬 Lymphatic Drainage of Larynx

Divided based on position **relative to the vocal cords**:

**🔼 Supraglottic Larynx**
- Drainage accompanies **superior laryngeal vein**
- Pierces **thyrohyoid membrane**
- Drains into **upper deep cervical nodes**

**⛔ Vocal Cords**
- **No lymphatics**

>Why do Vocal fold cancers not have early spread to lymph nodes?

**🔽 Infraglottic Larynx**
- Pierces **cricothyroid membrane**
- Drains into **prelaryngeal (Delphian) and pretracheal nodes**
- Eventually reaches **lower deep cervical nodes**

---

### 🩸 Blood Supply of Larynx

#### 🔀 **Arterial Supply**
- Superior Laryngeal Artery
- Cricothyroid Artery
- Inferior Laryngeal Artery

#### 🔍 **Course of Major Arteries**

**➤ Superior Laryngeal Artery**
- Pierces **thyrohyoid membrane** with lymphatics and **internal laryngeal nerve**
- Enters at **anterior end of AE fold**

**➤ Inferior Laryngeal Artery**
- Ascends with **recurrent laryngeal nerve**
- Enters **behind inferior constrictor**

**➤ Cricothyroid Artery**
- Crosses **upper cricothyroid ligament**
- Has **up to five branches** — important in anterior commissure surgeries

#### 🧵 **Venous Drainage**

| Vein | Drains Into |
| --- | --- |
| Superior Laryngeal Vein | Internal jugular vein (via superior thyroid/facial vein) |
| Inferior Laryngeal Vein | Brachiocephalic vein (via inferior thyroid vein) |
| Middle Thyroid Vein | Internal jugular vein (some drainage) |

### 🧫 Mucosal Lining of Larynx

#### 🧬 **Epithelium Types**

| Region | Epithelium Type |
| --- | --- |
| Most of larynx | Ciliated columnar epithelium |
| Vocal cords, upper vestibule, posterior epiglottis | Stratified squamous epithelium |

#### 💧 **Mucous Glands**
- **Present throughout** the larynx
- **Especially numerous** on:
  - Posterior surface of epiglottis
  - Posterior AE folds
  - Saccules
- **Absent** in the **true vocal cords**

---

## About This Note

This free ENT note on Larynx Anatomy - Parts, Blood Supply, Lymphatic Drainage 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-blood-supply-lymphatic-drainage

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.

Browse all ENT notes and lectures on The ENT Resident: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures.md

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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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