Straight part of cricothyroid muscle

Pars recta musculi cricothyreoidei

  • Related terms: Straight part

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The straight part of cricothyroid muscle (a.k.a the pars recta) is the medial and vertically oriented portion of this muscle. It arises from the anterolateral surface of the cricoid cartilage and ascends almost vertically to insert into the inferior margin of the thyroid lamina.

Action

Acting in concert with the oblique part (pars obliqua), it tilts the thyroid cartilage forward and downward at the cricothyroid joint, thereby stretching and tensing the vocal folds to increase the pitch of the voice.

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/

Gallery