Question

The cartilage present in the larynx of the rabbit is
A. Thyroid, Cricoid, Arytenoid
B. Thyroid, Ethmoid, Palatine
C. Thyroid, Cricoid, Ethmoid
D. Thyroid, Cricoid, Palatine

Answer 1

Larynx is helpful in producing sound, in breathing and in preventing the food to enter trachea (windpipe). The larynx is also known as a vocal box. Ethmoid and palatine are bones.

Complete answer: The cartilage present in the larynx of the rabbit is the thyroid, cricoid and the arytenoid.
a) Thyroid: The thyroid cartilage is present in the larynx. In the larynx, the front part is a thyroid which prevents vocal cords located behind the thyroid cartilage. The thyroid is the largest cartilage in the larynx. Epiglottis is present above the thyroid cartilage.
b) Cricoid: The cricoid is a complete ring of cartilage which surrounds the windpipe. It forms the back part of the larynx. It is just below the thyroid gland.
c) Arytenoid: Arytenoid is present in pairs and it is a pyramidal structure. It moves the vocal fold so that it plays a vital role in sound production. It is present on the upper side of the cricoid cartilage.
d) Palatine: It is an L-shaped facial bone. In the skull, the palatine bone forms three cavities: oral cavity, nasal cavity and orbit.
e) Ethmoid: The bone that separates the nasal cavity and the brain is called ethmoid. Ethmoid is a cubical skull bone. Both palatine and ethmoid are not present in the larynx of a rabbit.

**Additional Information:**Epiglottis is also a cartilaginous flap that prevents the entry of food into the windpipe. Rabbit epiglottis is present behind the soft palate because rabbits are obligate breathers. Animals that are obligate breathers have to breathe through the nose only.

Note: The vocal cord is also present in the larynx of rabbits so that rabbits have the vocal ability. The vocal cord of a rabbit is similar to a cat. Compared to other laboratory animals the vocal folds of rabbits are larger. This feature is a boon for rabbits in vocal fold surgery.