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The larynx, or voice box, is an organ in the neck that is essential for respiration, swallowing, and phonation. The muscles of the larynx are divided into two groups: external (extrinsic) and internal (intrinsic). The external muscles move the larynx as a whole, while the internal muscles move the individual components of the larynx, such as the vocal folds, playing a vital role in breathing and phonation. The intrinsic muscles include the cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles, while the extrinsic muscles include the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles. These muscles work together to facilitate proper air conduction, speech, and protection of the airways during swallowing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Larynx function | Phonation, cough reflex, protection of the lower respiratory tract |
| Muscle groups | Intrinsic, Extrinsic |
| Intrinsic function | Control sound production by adjusting vocal cords' tension, length and position |
| Extrinsic function | Move the larynx as a whole |
| Intrinsic muscles | Cricothyroid, Thyroarytenoid, Lateral and posterior cricoarytenoid, Interarytenoid, Aryepiglottic, Oblique arytenoid, Transverse arytenoid, Vocalis |
| Extrinsic muscles | Infrahyoid, Suprahyoid |
| Infrahyoid muscles | Sternohyoid, Sternothyroid, Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid |
| Suprahyoid muscles | Stylohyoid, Digastric, Mylohyoid, Geniohyoid, Stylopharyngeus |
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What You'll Learn
The cricothyroid muscle is the only tensor muscle of the larynx
The larynx, or voice box, is an organ located in the anterior neck. It is a component of the respiratory tract and has several important functions, including phonation, the cough reflex, and protection of the lower respiratory tract. The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: the extrinsic (or external) muscles and the intrinsic (or internal) muscles. The extrinsic muscles act to move the larynx superiorly and inferiorly, altering the position of the larynx as a whole. They are attached to the hyoid bone and move the thyroid cartilage. The intrinsic muscles, on the other hand, move the individual components of the larynx, playing a vital role in breathing and phonation. They facilitate the movement of the laryngeal cartilages against one another and directly affect glottic movement.
The cricothyroid muscle is a short, triangular intrinsic muscle of the larynx, situated between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages. When the cricothyroid muscle contracts, it brings the cricoid and thyroid cartilages together anteriorly. This action affects both laryngeal movement and glottic tension, and for this reason, some authors consider the cricothyroid muscle to be both extrinsic and intrinsic. It is the only intrinsic muscle not innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, instead receiving its innervation from the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
The cricothyroid muscle is also the only tensor muscle of the larynx. A tensor muscle is one that stretches or tensions another part of the body. In the case of the cricothyroid muscle, it is responsible for tensing the vocal ligaments, muscles, and overlying mucosa during phonation, allowing them to vibrate at frequencies appropriate for human speech. This makes it a crucial muscle for producing sound.
In summary, the cricothyroid muscle is the only tensor muscle of the larynx, and it plays an important role in both laryngeal movement and the production of speech. Its unique innervation and dual classification as intrinsic and extrinsic also make it a fascinating muscle from an anatomical perspective.
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Suprahyoid muscles elevate the larynx
The larynx, or voice box, is a critical component of the respiratory tract, involved in phonation, the cough reflex, and protection of the lower respiratory tract. The muscles of the larynx are divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles. The external muscles, or extrinsic muscles, act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing, while the internal muscles, or intrinsic muscles, move the individual components of the larynx and play a vital role in breathing and phonation by controlling sound production.
The extrinsic muscles of the larynx control larynx position and function. They include the suprahyoid muscles, which elevate the larynx, and the infrahyoid muscles, which depress the larynx. The stylohyoid, digastric, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid muscles make up the four suprahyoid muscles. These muscles also coordinate the movements of the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during swallowing or vocalization.
The stylohyoid muscle, for example, functions as a stabilizer, retractor, and elevator of the hyoid bone. It also helps to keep the pharynx open during inspiration by tensing the floor of the mouth. The mylohyoid muscle elevates the hyoid bone and the floor of the mouth when the mandibular attachment is fixed. The geniohyoid muscle has its origin on the inferior mental spine, also known as the inferior genial tubercle, and its fibers radiate posteroinferiorly to the body of the hyoid.
The suprahyoid muscles are attached to the superior aspect of the hyoid bone and function to fixate and elevate it along with the larynx. They form the floor of the mouth and play a role in chewing, swallowing, and speech. In combination with the infrahyoid muscles, they are responsible for positioning the hyoid bone.
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Infrahyoid muscles depress the larynx
The larynx, or voice box, is an organ located in the anterior neck. It is a component of the respiratory tract and has several important functions, including phonation, the cough reflex, and protection of the lower respiratory tract. The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: the external muscles and the internal muscles.
The external muscles, or extrinsic muscles, act to elevate or depress the larynx during functions like swallowing and singing. They are attached to the hyoid bone and move the thyroid cartilage. The extrinsic muscles can be further divided into two subgroups: suprahyoids and infrahyoids. The infrahyoid muscles are part of and attach to the lower larynx, as well as the inferior aspect of the hyoid bone.
The infrahyoid muscles are a group of four pairs of muscles in the anterior (frontal) part of the neck. They include the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles. The term infrahyoid refers to the region below the hyoid bone, while the term strap muscles refers to the long and flat muscle shapes that resemble a strap.
The infrahyoid muscles function to depress the larynx and hyoid bone. Contractions of these muscles act to lower the larynx, such as during descending pitch production. They play an active role in swallowing and the movement of the larynx. The thyrohyoid muscle, however, can elevate the larynx if the hyoid bone is stabilized by the suprahyoid muscles.
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Intrinsic muscles close the inlet of the larynx
The larynx, or voice box, is an organ located in the anterior neck. It is a component of the respiratory tract and has several important functions, including phonation, the cough reflex, and protection of the lower respiratory tract. The muscles of the larynx can be divided into two groups: the extrinsic muscles and the intrinsic muscles. The extrinsic muscles act to elevate or depress the larynx during swallowing. In contrast, the intrinsic muscles act to move the individual components of the larynx, playing a vital role in breathing and phonation.
The intrinsic muscles of the larynx can be further divided into two groups: muscles that control the inlet of the larynx and muscles that move the vocal ligaments. The intrinsic muscles that control the inlet of the larynx include the aryepiglottic muscle, the oblique arytenoid muscle, and the transverse arytenoid muscle. These muscles act in opposite pairs to open and close, or lengthen and shorten the vocal folds.
The aryepiglottic muscle lies within the aryepiglottic fold and runs from the side of the epiglottis to the muscular process and posterior surface of the arytenoid cartilage on the same side. The oblique arytenoid muscle is a paired muscle that runs from the muscular process of one arytenoid cartilage to the opposite aryepiglottic muscle and corniculate cartilage, creating an X-shape superficial to the transverse arytenoid muscle. The transverse arytenoid muscle adducts the arytenoid cartilages, resulting in adducted vocal cords.
These muscles act to close the inlet of the larynx by drawing the epiglottis down so that its lower half makes contact with the arytenoids. This creates an effective protection from swallowed material. The inlet is then opened by air pressure from the respiratory tract below. The intrinsic muscles of the larynx also help to 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.
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Extrinsic muscles alter the position of the larynx
The larynx, or voice box, is a vital organ in the anterior neck that is part of the respiratory tract. It is responsible for several functions, including phonation, the cough reflex, and protection of the lower respiratory tract. The muscles of the larynx are divided into two groups: the extrinsic (external) muscles and the intrinsic (internal) muscles.
The extrinsic muscles alter the position of the larynx by moving it as a whole. They are attached to the hyoid bone and move the thyroid cartilage. The suprahyoid muscles, including the digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylopharyngeus muscles, elevate the larynx. The infrahyoid muscles, including the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and omohyoid muscles, depress the larynx.
The extrinsic muscles also include the middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles and the cricopharyngeus muscle, which extends from the cricoid cartilage to the lower portion of the pharynx and the opening of the oesophagus. The cricothyroid muscle is considered both an extrinsic and intrinsic muscle as it affects both laryngeal movement and glottic tension.
The extrinsic muscles play a crucial role in swallowing. During swallowing, the epiglottis is pulled posteroinferiorly by the intrinsic muscles to cover the glottis, allowing food to pass safely into the hypopharynx and oesophagus without compromising the airway. The extrinsic muscles then act to elevate or depress the larynx during this process.
In summary, the extrinsic muscles of the larynx alter the position of the larynx by moving it superiorly and inferiorly. They are essential for maintaining proper air conduction, speech, and protection of the airways during swallowing.
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Frequently asked questions
The intrinsic muscles of the larynx alter the tension and length of the vocal cords and the rima glottidis. The cricothyroid muscle, in particular, is responsible for tensing the vocal cords and increasing the pitch of phonation.
Intrinsic muscles are confined within the larynx and are responsible for controlling sound production by adjusting the vocal cords' tension, length, and position.
The extrinsic muscles of the larynx are attached to the hyoid bone and move the thyroid cartilage. They are divided into the infrahyoid and suprahyoid groups. The infrahyoid group depresses the larynx, while the suprahyoid group elevates it.
