Aryepiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle
Pars aryepiglottica musculi arytenoidei obliqui
- Latin synonym: Musculus aryepiglotticus
- Related terms: Aryepiglottic part; Aryepiglottic part (Oblique arytenoid)
Definition
Aryepiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle | |
Origin | Apex of arytenoid cartilage |
Insertion | Epiglottic margin (forms the aryepiglottic fold) |
Innervation | Recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus |
Action | Approximate the arytenoid cartilages (close rima glottidis) |
Origin and Insertion
The aryepiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle represents the superior continuation of some fibres of the oblique arytenoid muscle into the aryepiglottic fold. These fibres pass upward and forward from the apex of the arytenoid cartilage to insert into the lateral margin of the epiglottis and the aryepiglottic fold mucosa, forming the aryepiglottic muscle.
Action
The aryepiglottic part acts as a sphincter of the laryngeal inlet, drawing the epiglottis downward and backward to approximate it toward the arytenoid cartilages, thereby narrowing the laryngeal inlet during swallowing and protecting the airway. It works in opposition to the thyroepiglottic muscle, which widens the inlet during respiration.
Innervation
Like the oblique arytenoid and other intrinsic muscles of larynx, the aryepiglottic part of oblique arytenoid is supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of the vagus nerve, CN X).
References
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 35: Larynx, pp. 597.
Hoerter JE, Fakoya AO, Chandran SK. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Laryngeal Muscles. [Updated 2024 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545265/
