Cartilage
Arytenoid cartilage
Movable attachments at the back of the vocal folds
High-yield
Keep the two processes distinct: the vocal process anchors the vocal ligament, while the muscular process receives the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles.
Overview
The posterior end of each vocal ligament attaches to an arytenoid cartilage. These paired cartilages rest on the cricoid and change position as the glottis opens or closes. Each has an anterior vocal process and a lateral muscular process, allowing muscle force to alter the position of the vocal fold.
Reference facts
- Cartilage type
- Paired cartilages with a mainly hyaline body; elastic cartilage occurs at the apex and especially the tip of the vocal process.
- Key landmarks
- Apex and base; anterior vocal process and lateral muscular process. Cricoarytenoid, thyroarytenoid and interarytenoid muscles attach to different surfaces.
- Articulations
- The base forms a synovial joint with the cricoid lamina. A corniculate cartilage rests on the apex.
- Ossification
- The hyaline regions can ossify with age, with considerable individual variation; the elastic vocal-process tip normally remains flexible.
Clinical correlation
Intubation or external laryngeal trauma can occasionally displace an arytenoid at its joint. Persistent hoarseness and reduced vocal-fold movement can resemble nerve injury; immobility alone does not distinguish the two causes.
Frequently asked questions
What type of cartilage is the arytenoid cartilage?
Paired cartilages with a mainly hyaline body; elastic cartilage occurs at the apex and especially the tip of the vocal process.
What does the arytenoid cartilage articulate with?
The base forms a synovial joint with the cricoid lamina. A corniculate cartilage rests on the apex.
What are the key landmarks of the arytenoid cartilage?
Apex and base; anterior vocal process and lateral muscular process. Cricoarytenoid, thyroarytenoid and interarytenoid muscles attach to different surfaces.
Does the arytenoid cartilage ossify?
The hyaline regions can ossify with age, with considerable individual variation; the elastic vocal-process tip normally remains flexible.