Where is the rima glottidis located?
The rima glottidis is located in the laryngeal cavity (cavitas laryngis), specifically in its middle compartment, which corresponds to the region of the laryngeal ventricles. It lies directly below the rima vestibuli (rima vestibuli) and vestibular folds (plicae vestibulares), being formed by the true vocal folds (plicae vocales).
What is the anatomical structure of the rima glottidis?
The structure of the rima glottidis (rima glottidis) comprises two main parts:
- Intermembranous part (pars intermembranacea) — located between the free margins of the vocal folds.
- Intercartilaginous part (pars intercartilaginea), which performs a respiratory function — located between the arytenoid cartilages.
The true vocal ligaments (ligg. vocalia), which form the boundaries of the opening, are stretched between the vocal processes (processus vocalis) of the arytenoid cartilages and the inner surface of the thyroid cartilage. The mucous membrane overlying them, the vocalis muscle, and the elastic cone (conus elasticus) form the vocal folds. Situated at the rima glottidis is the interarytenoid notch (incisura interarytenoidea) — a vertical median cleft continuing into the laryngeal vestibule.
What is the role of the rima glottidis in breathing and sound production?
Serving as an anatomical narrowing of the respiratory tract, the rima glottidis creates conditions for high-velocity airflow. This generates rough sound vibrations that form physiological bronchial breathing (a loud, harsh sound audible during both inspiration and expiration). Normally, this sound is auscultated over the projection of the trachea in the jugular notch region and in the interscapular region at the level of the seventh cervical vertebra.
What is the significance of the rima glottidis in the cough mechanism?
The rima glottidis takes direct part in the realization of the cough reflex, ensuring its phased nature:
- Tension phase (closed): the rima glottidis closes, after which the respiratory muscles and abdominal press tense, and intrathoracic pressure increases sharply.
- Expulsion phase (expulsive): a sharp opening of the rima glottidis occurs, creating a powerful pressure differential and an airflow with a velocity of 0.5 to 50–120 m/s to clear mucus and foreign bodies.
Class and exam questions
Where is the rima glottidis located?
The rima glottidis (rima glottidis) is located in the middle compartment of the laryngeal cavity, between the true vocal folds.
What parts are distinguished in the rima glottidis?
It features the intermembranous part (pars intermembranacea) between the free margins of the vocal folds and the intercartilaginous (pars intercartilaginea) — the respiratory part between the arytenoid cartilages.
How does the rima glottidis participate in the cough impulse?
During the tension phase of a cough, the rima glottidis closes, contributing to a rise in airway pressure, and upon transition to the expulsion phase, it opens sharply, creating a powerful air flow.
What else to study on this topic
- Laryngeal cavity (cavitas laryngis)
- Fibro-elastic membrane of the larynx
- Ligaments and membranes of the larynx
- Physiological bronchial breathing
- Mechanism of the cough reflex
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