Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyHead and neckNeckLateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyHead and neckNeckLateral cricoarytenoid muscle

Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Larynx [30:35]
Cartilages, ligaments, membranes and muscles of the larynx.
Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (Musculus cricoarytenoideus lateralis)

Lateral cricoarytenoid is a bilateral muscle attaching between the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages of the larynx. It is one of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx along with the oblique arytenoid, aryepiglotticus, transverse arytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, cricothyroid, thyroaritenoid, vocalis and thyroepiglottic muscles.

The intrinsic muscles of the larynx are involved in the production of sound. They do this by moving the various parts of larynx; changing the state of the vocal folds (i.e. tension and length) and opening or closing the rima glottidis. Specifically, the main function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle is to aid sound production by adducting the vocal folds.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle.

Key facts about the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Origin Arch of cricoid cartilage
Insertion Muscular process of arytenoid cartilage
Action Adducts and shortens vocal folds
Innervation Inferior laryngeal nerve (of recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X))
Blood supply Laryngeal branches of superior and inferior thyroid arteries
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

The small, somewhat oblong shaped lateral cricoarytenoid muscle originates from the upper margin of the arch of cricoid cartilage. It courses posteromedially and inserts into the anterior surface of muscular process of arytenoid cartilage. 

Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Musculus cricoarytenoideus lateralis
1/2
Synonyms: Musculus cricoarytaenoideus lateralis

Relations

The muscle is located laterally to vocal folds. Its insertion is closely related to transverse arytenoid and posterior cricoarytenoid muscles as they all insert to the muscular process of arytenoid cartilage.

Innervation

Lateral cricoarytenoid is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X) through the anterior branches ofrecurrent laryngeal nerve.

Blood supply

This muscle is vascularized by the laryngeal branches of superior and inferior thyroid arteries.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Nervus laryngeus recurrens
1/3
Synonyms: none

Function

Action of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Functio musculi cricoarytenoidei lateralis
1/2
Synonyms: Adduction of vocal folds, Adductio plicae vocalis

The intrinsic laryngeal muscles, of which the lateral cricoarytenoid is a part, are all involved in the production of sound (phonation). They do so by moving the various parts of larynx; changing the state of the vocal folds (i.e. tension and length) and opening or closing the rima glottidis. 

When the lateral cricoarytenoid muscles contract, they rotate the arytenoid cartilages and thus medially swing the vocal process onto which the vocal ligaments are attached. This brings the tips of the vocal processes together; resulting in adduction of the vocal folds and closure of the anterior part of the rima glottidis.
 
Relating this to speech; lateral cricoarytenoid rotates the arytenoid cartilages while the transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles simultaneously pull the arytenoid cartilages toward each other (closing the posterior part of the rima glottidis; adductive tension). Together these actions adducts the vocal folds, closes the rima glottidis and narrows the laryngeal inlet. When expired air passes through the closed rima glottidis, it is directed towards the adducted vocal folds, causing the folds to vibrate and produce voiced sounds. 

Acting on its own, lateral cricoarytenoid is unable to fully close the rima glottidis. Some air bypasses the vocal folds and therefore is not able to cause their full resonance. This produces whispering.

Solidify your knowledge about the larynx anatomy with our study unit.

Larynx Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Illustrations:

  • Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (musculus cricoarytenoideus lateralis) - Yousun Koh

Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!