The cricoarytenoid joint is a joint connecting the
cricoid cartilage
The cricoid cartilage , or simply cricoid (from the Greek ''krikoeides'' meaning "ring-shaped") or cricoid ring, is the only complete ring of cartilage around the trachea. It forms the back part of the voice box and functions as an attachment si ...
and the
arytenoid cartilage. It is a very shallow
ball-and-socket joint
The ball-and-socket joint (or spheroid joint) is a type of synovial joint in which the ball-shaped surface of one rounded bone fits into the cup-like depression of another bone. The distal bone is capable of motion around an indefinite number of ...
. It allows for rotation and gliding motion. This controls the abduction and adduction of the
vocal cords
In humans, vocal cords, also known as vocal folds or voice reeds, are folds of throat tissues that are key in creating sounds through vocalization. The size of vocal cords affects the pitch of voice. Open when breathing and vibrating for speec ...
.
Structure
The cricoarytenoid joint is a very shallow
ball-and-socket joint
The ball-and-socket joint (or spheroid joint) is a type of synovial joint in which the ball-shaped surface of one rounded bone fits into the cup-like depression of another bone. The distal bone is capable of motion around an indefinite number of ...
.
Function
The cricoarytenoid joint allows for rotation and gliding motion.
The extent of rotation is significant, while the extent of gliding is limited.
The cricoarytenoid joint controls the abduction and adduction of the
vocal cords
In humans, vocal cords, also known as vocal folds or voice reeds, are folds of throat tissues that are key in creating sounds through vocalization. The size of vocal cords affects the pitch of voice. Open when breathing and vibrating for speec ...
.
It is moved by many of the
intrinsic muscles of the larynx.
History
The cricoarytenoid joint was first described by
Galen
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus ( el, Κλαύδιος Γαληνός; September 129 – c. AD 216), often Anglicized as Galen () or Galen of Pergamon, was a Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher in the Roman Empire. Considered to be one ...
.
See also
*
Cricoarytenoid muscle
References
External links
* ()
{{Authority control
Human head and neck
Joints
Joints of the head and neck