The rima glottidis is the opening between the two true
vocal cords anteriorly, and the two
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 ...
s posteriorly. It is part of the
larynx.
Anatomy
The rima glottidis is the narrowest part of larynx. It is longer (~23 mm) in males than in females (17-18 mm).
The rima glottidis is an aperture between the two true
vocal cords anteriorly, and the bases and
vocal process of the two
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 ...
s posteriorly. It is therefore described as subdivided into two parts: the larger anterior part between the
vocal folds (intermembranous part, or glottis vocalis), and the smaller posterior part between arytenoid cartilages (intercartilaginous part, glottis respiratoria, intercartilaginous glottis, respiratory glottis, or interarytenoid space). It is limited posteriorly by an interarytenoid fold of mucous membrane.
Function
The rima glottidis is closed by the
lateral cricoarytenoid
Lateral is a geometric term of location which may refer to:
Healthcare
*Lateral (anatomy), an anatomical direction
*Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
*Lateral release (surgery), a surgical procedure on the side of a kneecap
Phonetics
*Lateral cons ...
muscles and the
arytenoid muscle
The arytenoid muscle is a single muscle of the larynx. It passes from one arytenoid cartilage to the opposite arytenoid cartilage. It has oblique and transverse fibres. It is supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It approximates the arytenoi ...
, and opened by the
posterior cricoarytenoid muscles. All of these muscles receive innervation from the
recurrent laryngeal nerve which is a branch of the
vagus nerve (CN X).
The shape of rima glottidis is changed by movements of vocal cords and arytenoid cartilages during respiration and phonation.
Clinical significance
Any damage to the rima glottidis may result in a hoarse voice,
aphonia
Aphonia is defined as the inability to produce voiced sound. Damage to the nerve may be the result of surgery (e.g., thyroidectomy) or a tumor.
Aphonia means "no sound". In other words, a person with this disorder has lost their voice.
Causes
...
or difficulty breathing.
References
External links
*
Human head and neck
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