The arytenoid muscle is a single muscle of the larynx. It passes from one

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 ...

to the opposite arytenoid cartilage. It has

oblique Oblique may refer to: * an alternative name for the character usually called a slash (punctuation) ( / ) * Oblique angle, in geometry * Oblique triangle, in geometry *Oblique lattice, in geometry * Oblique leaf base, a characteristic shape of the ...

and transverse fibres. It is supplied by 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 le ...

. It approximates the arytenoid cartilages. Continuous

electromyography Electromyography (EMG) is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyog ...

may be used during neck surgeries such as

thyroidectomy A thyroidectomy is an operation that involves the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. In general surgery, endocrine or head and neck surgeons often perform a thyroidectomy when a patient has thyroid cancer or some other conditio ...

Structure

The arytenoid muscle fills the posterior concave surface of the arytenoid cartilage. It arises from the posterior surface and lateral border of one

. It is inserted into the corresponding parts of the opposite arytenoid cartilage. It consists of

and transverse fibres.

Nerve supply

The arytenoid muscle is supplied by the

, 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 v ...

(CN X). This is a bilateral supply.

Function

The arytenoid muscle approximates the

arytenoid cartilages 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 ...

. This closes the aperture of the

glottis The glottis is the opening between the vocal folds (the rima glottidis). The glottis is crucial in producing vowels and voiced consonants. Etymology From Ancient Greek ''γλωττίς'' (glōttís), derived from ''γλῶττα'' (glôtta), v ...

, especially at its back part to eliminate the posterior commissure 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 speech ...

Clinical significance

Electromyography

Function of the arytenoid muscle is a good method to determine function of the

. Continuous

of the arytenoid muscle can provide confidence to

surgeons In modern medicine, a surgeon is a medical professional who performs surgery. Although there are different traditions in different times and places, a modern surgeon usually is also a licensed physician or received the same medical training as ...

that the recurrent laryngeal nerve is not damaged during neck surgeries, such as

Other animals

The arytenoid muscle is found in many animals, including

dogs The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. ...

Additional images

File:Gray950.png, The cartilages of the larynx. Posterior view. File:Gray959.png, Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed. File:Slide6kkkk.JPG, Aryepiglotic muscle File:Gray960.png, Muscles of the larynx, seen from above. File:Gray1028.png, Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind.

References

* {{Authority control Muscles of the head and neck