Fold of superior laryngeal nerve

The fold of superior laryngeal nerve lies in the piriform recess and is formed by the superior laryngeal nerve and artery.

The internal laryngeal nerve, the sensory branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (CN X), pierces the thyrohyoid membrane accompanied by the superior laryngeal artery and then passes deep to the mucosa of the piriform recess. Some anatomy texts describe a slight elevation of mucosa overlying the nerve in the lateral wall of the piriform recess. However, this is not usually recognized as a named anatomical fold.

Clinical correlate

Because of the close relationship between the internal laryngeal nerve and the mucosa overlying the lateral wall of piriform fossa, a foreign body lodged here may injure the internal laryngeal nerve, resulting in loss of sensation above the vocal folds and a diminished cough reflex.