
The vocal folds, also known as the vocal cords, are structures in the larynx that vibrate to produce the voice. Adduction is when the vocal folds come together to close the glottis, and abduction is when they move apart to open it. The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles are adductors, and the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are abductors. The thyroarytenoid muscles form the body of the vocal folds and control pitch. The cricothyroid muscles tense the vocal folds, while the thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles relax them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Adductors | Lateral cricoarytenoid, transverse arytenoid |
| Abductors | Posterior cricoarytenoid |
| Sphincters | Transverse arytenoid, oblique arytenoid, aryepiglottic |
| Muscles that tense the vocal cords | Cricothyroid |
| Muscles that relax the vocal cords | Thyroarytenoid, vocalis |
| Muscle that forms the vocal folds | Thyroarytenoid |
| Muscle that vibrates the vocal folds | Lateral cricoarytenoid |
| Muscle that closes the glottis | Lateral cricoarytenoid |
| Muscle that opens the glottis | Posterior cricoarytenoid |
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What You'll Learn
- The lateral cricoarytenoid and interarytenoid muscles adduct the vocal folds
- The thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles relax the vocal folds
- The cricothyroid muscles tense the vocal folds
- The intrinsic laryngeal muscles control the shape of the rima glottidis
- The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscle

The lateral cricoarytenoid and interarytenoid muscles adduct the vocal folds
The vocal folds, also known as vocal cords, are flaps of tissue located in the larynx. They are responsible for producing sound, including speech and singing. The pitch of the sound produced can be altered by changing the position and tension of the folds. The movement of the vocal folds is controlled by the joints and muscles of the larynx.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles include the lateral cricoarytenoid and interarytenoid muscles, which adduct the vocal folds. Adduction occurs when the vocal folds come together to close the glottis. The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles are part of the adductor muscle group, which also includes the transverse arytenoid muscles. During adduction, the arytenoid cartilages rotate in a clockwise direction, bringing the vocal ligaments close together and allowing vibration of the folds as air passes through the rima glottidis.
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles close the glottis by pulling the back ends of the arytenoid cartilages apart, which pulls the front ends and the attached vocal folds together. The interarytenoid muscles are also involved in adduction, although their specific mechanism of action is not clearly described in the sources.
The intrinsic muscles of the larynx alter the length and tension of the vocal cords, as well as the rima glottidis. They include adductors, abductors, sphincters, muscles that tense the vocal cords, and muscles that relax them. The abductors, including the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles, open the glottis by pulling the back ends of the arytenoid cartilages together, which pulls the vocal folds apart. The cricothyroid muscles tense the vocal cords, while the thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles relax them.
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The thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles relax the vocal folds
The vocal folds, also known as the vocal cords, are located in the larynx and are responsible for voice and sound production. They consist of vocal ligaments, vocalis muscles, and a covering mucous membrane. The mucosal covering of the vocal folds is made of several layers of collagen fibres. The pitch of the sound produced can be altered by changing the position and tension of the folds.
The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: external and internal muscles. The external muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles move the individual components of the larynx, playing a vital role in breathing and phonation (sound production). The intrinsic laryngeal muscles, a subset of the internal muscles, control the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages), as well as the length and tension of the vocal folds.
The thyroarytenoid and vocalis muscles are intrinsic laryngeal muscles that relax the vocal folds. They are responsible for reducing the tension in the vocal folds, which can lower the pitch of the sound produced. The thyroarytenoid muscle also has a force to strengthen glottic closure. The glottis is the space between the two vocal folds. When the vocal folds adduct (come together), the glottis closes, and when they abduct (move apart), the glottis opens.
Adduction and abduction of the vocal folds are essential for phonation and breathing. During adduction, the vocal folds come together to close the glottis, trapping air in the lungs. This closure is necessary to build up subglottic pressure for vocalization. During abduction, the vocal folds move apart to open the glottis, allowing air to move in and out of the lungs during breathing. The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid muscle, which is innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
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The cricothyroid muscles tense the vocal folds
The vocal folds, also known as the vocal cords, are flaps of tissue located in the larynx. They are responsible for voice and sound production, as well as preventing the inhalation of liquid or particles through the lower respiratory tract. The pitch of the sound produced can be altered by changing the position and tension of the vocal folds.
The cricothyroid muscle is the only tensor muscle of the larynx aiding with phonation. It originates from the anterolateral aspect of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the inferior margin and inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage. The cricothyroid muscle is innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve.
The cricothyroid muscle tilts the thyroid cartilage forward, helping to tense the vocal cords and increasing the pitch of the voice. This muscle is also responsible for altering the tone of voice, which is why it is colloquially known as the "singer's muscle". The cricothyroid muscle is fan-shaped and situated at the outer surface of the larynx.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles, including the cricothyroid muscle, control the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages) and the length and tension of the vocal folds. The cricothyroid muscle specifically acts on the vocal ligaments, which attach to the thyroid cartilage and form the basis of the vocal fold.
The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: external muscles and internal muscles. The external muscles elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles, including the cricothyroid muscle, move the individual components of the larynx and play a vital role in breathing and phonation.
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The intrinsic laryngeal muscles control the shape of the rima glottidis
The vocal folds, also known as the vocal cords, are flaps of tissue located in the larynx. They are responsible for voice and sound production. The pitch of the sound produced can be altered by changing the position and tension of the folds. These movements are controlled by the joints and muscles of the larynx. The larynx can be divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal or intrinsic laryngeal muscles. The external muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing. In contrast, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles act on the individual components of the larynx, controlling the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages), and the length and tension of the vocal folds.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles play a vital role in breathing and phonation, or the production of vocal sound. They control the shape of the rima glottidis, which is the space between the vocal folds. The rima glottidis may be open or closed due to the abduction or adduction of the vocal folds, respectively. During regular breathing, the vocal folds and rima glottidis are relaxed and open, allowing air to pass through the laryngeal cavity and into the lower respiratory tract. If forced inspiration is required, the rima glottidis is actively widened through the abduction of the vocal folds.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles that control the shape of the rima glottidis include the lateral cricoarytenoid, interarytenoid, and thyroarytenoid muscles. These muscles are responsible for the adduction of the vocal folds, which closes the rima glottidis and alters the tone and volume of speech. Additionally, the transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles contribute to the adduction process by closing the posterior portion of the rima glottidis, resulting in a narrowed laryngeal inlet.
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only abductor of the vocal folds, widening the rima glottidis and allowing for maximum airflow during inspiration and expiration. The transverse arytenoid muscle also plays a role in the production of whispering by maintaining a small gap between the vocal folds, allowing for lower-intensity sound production. The cricothyroid muscle is another intrinsic laryngeal muscle that stretches and tenses the vocal ligaments, aiding in forceful speech and altering the tone of voice.
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The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscle
The vocal folds, also known as the vocal cords, are flaps of tissue located in the larynx. They are responsible for sound production and form a valve for the airway. The intrinsic laryngeal muscles act on the individual components of the larynx, controlling the shape of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal folds and the arytenoid cartilages), and the length and tension of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are multilayered structures, consisting of a muscle covered by a mucosal covering.
The recurrent laryngeal nerve provides motor innervation to all intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscle. The cricothyroid muscle is innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, which is derived from the vagus nerve. The recurrent laryngeal nerve is also a branch of the vagus nerve. The intrinsic muscles of the larynx that are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve include the lateral cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, transverse and oblique interarytenoid, and thyroarytenoid muscles. These muscles act to open, close, and adjust the tension of the vocal cords.
The cricothyroid muscle, on the other hand, is the only tensor of the vocal cords. It stretches and tenses the vocal ligaments and is important for creating forceful speech and altering the tone of voice. The cricothyroid muscle is derived from the pharyngeal arches, along with the intrinsic muscles of the larynx. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve enters the cricothyroid muscle laterally on its deep surface.
The recurrent laryngeal nerve also carries sensory information from the mucous membranes of the larynx below the lower surface of the vocal fold. It supplies the mucosa of the vocal cord and the subglottis. Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve can result in a weakened voice (hoarseness) or loss of voice (aphonia) and cause problems in the respiratory tract.
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Frequently asked questions
Vocal folds, also known as vocal cords or vocal chords, are flaps of tissue located in the larynx. They vibrate to produce the voice.
Adduction occurs when the vocal folds come together to close the glottis. This traps air in the lungs.
The larynx plays a vital role in breathing and phonation (sound production). The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: external muscles and internal muscles.
The intrinsic laryngeal muscles include the lateral cricoarytenoid and interarytenoid muscles, which adduct the vocal folds. The adductor muscle group also includes the transverse arytenoid muscles.
The vocalis muscle is one of the muscles that relax the vocal cords. It is also one of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, which move the vocal cords to produce speech sounds.











































