Arytenoid muscle

Arytenoid muscle
Muscles of larynx. Posterior view. Oblique arytenoid: The "X" in the center. Transverse arytenoid: Bands underneath the "X". Aryepiglotticus: Wraps around back.
Sagittal section of the larynx and upper part of the trachea. (Arytenoideus visible at center right.)
Latin	Arytænoideus
Gray's	subject #236 1082
Origin	Arytenoid cartilage on one side
Insertion	Arytenoid cartilage on opposite side
Artery	superior laryngeal artery
Nerve	recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus
Actions	approximate the arytenoid cartilages (close rima glottis)

The arytenoid /ærɨˈtiːnɔɪd/ is a single muscle, filling up the posterior concave surfaces of the arytenoid cartilages.

It arises from the posterior surface and lateral border of one arytenoid cartilage, and is inserted into the corresponding parts of the opposite cartilage.

It consists of oblique and transverse parts.

Action

The Arytœnoideus approximates the arytenoid cartilages, and thus closes the opening of the glottis, especially at its back part to eliminate the posterior commissure of the vocal folds.

Additional images

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  The cartilages of the larynx. Posterior view.

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  Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed.

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  Muscles of the larynx, seen from above.

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  Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind.

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.