The aryepiglottic muscle, or aryepiglotticus muscle is an
intrinsic muscle of the larynx.
The muscle originates from the
muscular process
The muscular process of arytenoid cartilage is the posterolateral projection of the (short, rounded, and prominent) lateral angle of the base of the arytenoid cartilage. The muscular process gives insertion to the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles ...
of
arytenoid cartilage
The arytenoid cartilages () are a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx. They are the site of attachment of the vocal cords. Each is pyramidal or ladle-shaped and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex. The arytenoid ...
and inserts to the
aryepiglottic fold
The aryepiglottic folds are triangular folds of mucous membrane of the larynx. They enclose ligamentous and muscular fibres. They extend from the lateral borders of the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages, hence the name 'aryepiglottic'. They ...
and lateral border of
epiglottis
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap in the throat that prevents food and water from entering the trachea and the lungs. It stays open during breathing, allowing air into the larynx. During swallowing, it closes to prevent aspiration of food int ...
. The aryepiglottic muscle is innervated by the inferior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the
recurrent laryngeal nerve
The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is a branch of the vagus nerve ( cranial nerve X) that supplies all the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, with the exception of the cricothyroid muscles. There are two recurrent laryngeal nerves, right and ...
(a branch of the
vagus nerve
The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and right ...
). The muscle adducts arytenoid cartilages and acts as a sphincter on the
laryngeal inlet
The laryngeal inlet (laryngeal aditus, laryngeal aperture) is the opening that connects the pharynx and the larynx.
Borders
Its borders are formed by:
* the free curved edge of the epiglottis, anteriorly
* the arytenoid cartilages, the cornicula ...
.
Additional images
File:Slide14sss.JPG, Aryepiglottic muscle
External links
* ()
References
Muscles of the head and neck
{{muscle-stub