Victor Forge
The cricoarytenoid muscles are a group of muscles in the larynx that play a crucial role in vocalization and breathing. They are divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles. The external muscles elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles act on the individual components of the larynx, controlling the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and arytenoid cartilages) and the length and tension of the vocal folds. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, in particular, is the only muscle that can abduct the vocal folds, allowing for the production of unvoiced sounds. The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, on the other hand, adducts the vocal folds, modulating the tone and volume of speech. The cricothyroid muscle, also known as the singer's muscle, stretches and tenses the vocal ligaments, affecting the tone of voice. These muscles work together to enable breathing and phonation, the process of producing vocal sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | External and internal muscles |
| Function | The cricoarytenoid muscles are the sole abductors of the vocal folds, and thus the only muscle capable of widening the rima glottidis. |
| Attachments | Originates from the posterior surface of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. |
| Innervation | Inferior laryngeal nerve (branch of recurrent laryngeal) |
| Blood supply | Superior and inferior thyroid arteries |
| Role in phonation | Participates in the production of unvoiced sounds (e.g., letters that do not require vibration of the vocal cords) |
| Dysfunction | Unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy symptoms include hoarseness and reduced vocal stamina |
| Pathology | Cricoarytenoid arthritis (CA) is a systemic manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, causing upper airway obstruction. |
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What You'll Learn
- The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only laryngeal muscle that can open the true vocal folds
- The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle closes the glottis by pulling the arytenoid cartilages together
- The cricothyroid muscle lengthens the vocal folds, causing them to vibrate
- The thyroarytenoid muscle forms the vocal folds, and slows their vibration, lowering the pitch
- The cricoarytenoid muscles play a role in phonation, or making noise with the larynx
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only laryngeal muscle that can open the true vocal folds
The cricoarytenoid muscles are divided into two groups: the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only laryngeal muscle that can open the true vocal folds. It is supplied by the laryngeal branches of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries. The venous blood is first drained into the superior and inferior laryngeal veins, which then empty into the internal jugular vein. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the sole abductor of the vocal folds, and thus the only muscle capable of widening the rima glottidis. It originates from the posterior surface of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. The contraction of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle rotates the arytenoid cartilages laterally and pulls them posterolaterally. This separates the vocal cords and assists the other intrinsic muscles in lengthening the vocal cords, allowing the passage of air during inspiration and expiration.
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, on the other hand, is an adductor of the vocal folds. It narrows the rima glottidis, modulating the tone and volume of speech. It originates from the arch of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle allows inward rotation of the arytenoid on the cricoid cartilage, closing the laryngeal airway during deglutition, vocalization, and expiration. It also pulls the back end of the arytenoid cartilages apart, bringing the front ends and the vocal folds together.
The arytenoid cartilages are paired pyramid-shaped structures of cartilage found in the larynx, which are essential to the production of vocal sound. They are located on the lateral part of the superior border of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage and help form the cricoarytenoid joints. The apex of the arytenoid cartilages is directed cranially, where the corniculate cartilage sits. The apex gives attachment to the aryepiglottic fold, while the base articulates with the cricoid cartilage lamina by the cricoarytenoid synovial. The arytenoid cartilages can rock, glide, and pivot, controlling the movement of the vocal folds. They also help move the vocal folds, allowing tension, relaxation, or approximation.
The muscles of the larynx can be divided into external muscles and internal muscles. The external muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles act to move the individual components of the larynx, playing a vital role in breathing and
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The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle closes the glottis by pulling the arytenoid cartilages together
The cricoarytenoid muscles are a group of muscles in the larynx that play a crucial role in vocalization and breathing. They can be classified into three types: posterior cricoarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, and dorsal cricoarytenoid. This answer will focus on the role of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle in closing the glottis by pulling the arytenoid cartilages together.
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is one of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles that act on the individual components of the larynx. It originates from the arch of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. The cricoid cartilage forms the top ring of the trachea and provides a structural base for the larynx. The arytenoid cartilages are paired pyramid-shaped structures located on the lateral part of the superior border of the cricoid cartilage. They are essential for producing vocal sounds as they control the movement of the vocal folds.
The primary function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is to act as a major adductor of the vocal folds. Adduction occurs when the vocal folds come together to close the glottis, which is the opening between the vocal folds. Specifically, the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle closes the glottis by pulling the back ends of the arytenoid cartilages apart, which in turn pulls the front ends together, bringing the vocal folds into close approximation. This action of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is crucial for protecting the airway during deglutition (swallowing), vocalization, and expiration.
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle works in conjunction with other muscles and ligaments attached to the arytenoid cartilages. For example, the interarytenoid muscle augments the action of the lateral cricoarytenoid by pulling the arytenoid cartilages together. Additionally, the thyroarytenoid muscle, which forms the body of the vocal folds, can strengthen glottic closure by helping to bring the vocal folds together and keeping them together against the airstream from the lungs.
In contrast to the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only laryngeal muscle that can open the vocal folds by abducting them. This muscle is supplied by the superior and inferior thyroid arteries and plays a role in phonation, although its exact function is not fully understood. The contraction of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle rotates the arytenoid cartilages laterally, allowing for the passage of air during breathing.
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The cricothyroid muscle lengthens the vocal folds, causing them to vibrate
The cricothyroid muscle is one of the muscles of the larynx, which can be divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles. The external muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles, such as the cricothyroid muscle, act on the individual components of the larynx, playing a vital role in breathing and phonation, or the production of vocal sound.
The cricothyroid muscle lengthens the vocal folds by pulling the thyroid cartilage down and forward on its hinge, increasing the distance between the arytenoids and the thyroid notch (the Adam's Apple). This action also tightens the vocal folds, causing them to vibrate. The cricothyroid muscle is also responsible for stretching and tensing the vocal ligaments, which are supported by the arytenoid cartilages, and is important for creating forceful speech and altering the tone of voice.
The arytenoid cartilages are paired pyramid-shaped structures of cartilage found in the larynx, which help form the cricoarytenoid joints. They sit atop the back of the cricoid cartilage and hold the back end of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are attached to the inside of the thyroid notch, and the arytenoid cartilages control their movement. The arytenoid cartilages can rock, glide, and pivot, allowing for tension, relaxation, or approximation of the vocal folds.
The cricothyroid muscle is innervated by the external laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, which is closely associated with the superior thyroid artery. The superior thyroid artery branches from the external carotid artery and supplies the supraglottic region. The cricothyroid muscle originates from the anterolateral aspect of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the inferior margin and inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage.
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The thyroarytenoid muscle forms the vocal folds, and slows their vibration, lowering the pitch
The cricoarytenoid muscles are divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles. The external muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles play a vital role in breathing and phonation by moving the individual components of the larynx.
The thyroarytenoid muscle, also known as vocalis, forms the body of the vocal folds. It is the innermost layer of the vocal folds and runs their entire length, from the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage. The thyroarytenoid muscle shortens the vocal folds by pulling the arytenoid (back) end towards the thyroid (front) end, bunching them up and causing them to vibrate more slowly, resulting in a lower pitch.
The thyroarytenoid muscle also has a strengthening effect on glottic closure. It helps bring the vocal folds together and keeps them together, resisting the airstream from the lungs. This muscle relaxes the vocal ligament, allowing for a softer voice.
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only muscle of the larynx that abducts the vocal cords, allowing for the opening of the rima glottidis. It is an antagonist to the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, which acts to protect the airway by closing the glottis. The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles are the major adductors of the vocal folds, modulating the tone and volume of speech.
The cricothyroid muscle, also known as the "singer's muscle", stretches and tenses the vocal ligaments, playing a role in creating forceful speech and altering tone. It lengthens the vocal folds by pulling the thyroid cartilage down and forward, increasing the distance between the arytenoids and the thyroid notch, causing the vocal folds to vibrate more rapidly and produce a higher pitch.
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The cricoarytenoid muscles play a role in phonation, or making noise with the larynx
The cricoarytenoid muscles are comprised of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle. The former is supplied by the laryngeal branches of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, which are branches of the external carotid and subclavian arteries. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only muscle of the larynx that abducts the vocal cords, allowing for the opening of the rima glottidis. This is the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages.
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is also an antagonist to the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, which acts to close the glottis. The contraction of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle rotates the arytenoid cartilages, pulling them posterolaterally. This movement separates the vocal cords and assists the other intrinsic muscles in lengthening the vocal cords, allowing the passage of air during breathing.
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles are the major adductors of the vocal folds. They narrow the rima glottidis, modulating the tone and volume of speech. The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles allow inward rotation of the arytenoid on the cricoid cartilage, closing the laryngeal airway during deglutition, vocalization, and expiration. The interarytenoid muscle pulls the arytenoids together, augmenting this activity.
The cricoarytenoid muscles, therefore, play a role in phonation, or making noise with the larynx. Phonation involves the intrinsic laryngeal muscles acting on the individual components of the larynx, controlling the shape of the rima glottidis, and the length and tension of the vocal folds. The cricoarytenoid muscles, as intrinsic laryngeal muscles, contribute to this process by facilitating the movement of the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages.
However, it is important to note that the role of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle in phonation is not fully established. Some data suggest that this muscle may participate in the production of unvoiced sounds, such as letters that do not require vibration of the vocal cords.
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Frequently asked questions
Cricoarytenoid muscles are the intrinsic laryngeal muscles that act on the individual components of the larynx. They control the shape of the rima glottidis, the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages.
There are two types of cricoarytenoid muscles: posterior cricoarytenoid muscle and lateral cricoarytenoid muscle.
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only muscle of the larynx that abducts the vocal cords and, therefore, opens the rima glottidis. It is an antagonist muscle to the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle.
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is an adductor that narrows the rima glottidis, modulating the tone and volume of speech. It pulls the back end of the arytenoid cartilages apart, bringing the front ends together and making the vocal folds come together.
The cricoarytenoid muscles play a vital role in phonation, i.e., producing vocal sound. They help move the vocal folds, allowing tension, relaxation, or approximation of these folds.
