Extrinsic ligament of larynx

Looks like

Ligaments and membranes linking the voice box to the structures around it: the hyoid bone above and the windpipe below.

What it does

Suspend the larynx in the neck so it can rise and fall with swallowing and speech.

Keeping it well

Mostly landmarks for surgeons. They are crossed in thyroid and laryngeal operations and can be torn in neck trauma.

Related conditions

• Croup & epiglottitis
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Head and neck cancer
• Laryngitis & voice disorders
• Lyme disease
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder