Joints of the Larynx

Question 1

Cricoarytenoid joint

Answer 1

Junction between cricoid and arytenoid cartilage. Allows for rocking, gliding, and minimal rotation. Assists in approximation and abduction of vocal folds which produces voice.

Question 2

Intrinsic Laryngeal Musculature

Answer 2

Both origin and insertion are on laryngeal cartilages; opens, closes, relaxes vocal cords

Question 3

Intrinsic adductors

Answer 3

Brings folds together (closure= voicing)

• lateral cricoarytenoid
• transverse arytenoid muscle
• oblique arytenoid

Question 4

Lateral cricoarytenoid

Answer 4

origin- superior lateral surface of cricoid
insertion- muscular process of arytenoid cartilage
action- when contracted, arytenoids rock in and down, adducting vocal cords

Question 5

Transverse arytenoid muscle

Answer 5

Unpaired!
origin- lateral margin of posterior surface of 1 arytenoid
insertion- corresponding surface of other arytenoid
action- brings arytenoids together

Question 6

Oblique aryteonid

Answer 6

Above/ superficial to transverse arytenoid in X configuration
origin- posterior base of muscular process of arytenoid
insertion- apex of opposite arytenoid

Question 7

Intrinsic abductors

Answer 7

Pulls vocal cords apart]

• posterior cricoid arytenoid
• tensors- cricothyroid and thyroidvocalis
• relaxors

Question 8

Posterior cricoid arytenoid

Answer 8

origin- posterior cricoid lamina
insertion- posterior aspect of muscular process of the arytenoid cartilages
action- pull muscular processes back and medial to abduct vocal folds

Question 9

Tensors

Answer 9

Tighten muscles

• thyrovocalis
• cricothyroid muscle

Question 10

Thyrovocalis

Answer 10

medial muscle of vocal folds
origin- inner surface of thyroid cartilage near thyroid notch
insertion- lateral surface of arytenoid vocal process

Question 11

Cricothyroid muscle

Answer 11

Primary tensor muscle with two heads
origins- pars recta- inserts into lower surface of thyroid lamina
– pars oblique- inserts at juncture of thyroid laminae and inferior horns
action- tenses vocal folds

Question 12

Thyromuscularis

Answer 12

Relaxer– made up of muscle fibers
origin- inner surface of thyroid cartilage near notch and lateral to thyrovocalis
insertion- arytenoid cartilage at muscular process and base

Question 13

Cricothyroid joint

Answer 13

Junction of cricoid cartilage and inferior cornu of thyroid cartilage. Allows thyroid cartilage to rock down in front and allows thyroid to glide forward and back in relation to cricoid. Allows for adjustments in pitch.