Ary-epiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle
Pars aryepiglottica musculi arytenoidei obliqui
The ary-epiglottic part is the continuation of the oblique arytenoid muscle that runs in the ary-epiglottic fold to the epiglottis.
At a glance
- English
- Ary-epiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle
- Latin (TA2)
- Pars aryepiglottica musculi arytenoidei obliqui
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Neck
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the ary-epiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle
The oblique arytenoid is a small intrinsic muscle on the back of the larynx. Its two slips cross each other like an X behind the transverse arytenoid, each passing from the base of one arytenoid cartilage to the apex of the other. Some of its fibres do not stop at the apex but carry on forwards and upwards. These continuing fibres form the ary-epiglottic part, often described simply as the aryepiglottic muscle.
This part begins at the apex of the arytenoid cartilage and runs within the ary-epiglottic fold, the ridge of mucous membrane that stretches from the arytenoid to the side of the epiglottis and forms the side wall of the entrance to the larynx. It ends on the lateral margin of the epiglottis. Its fibres are thin and scattered, and in many people they amount to only a few strands in the fold, mixed with fibres of thyroarytenoid that also reach the epiglottis.
Its role is protective. Acting with the oblique and transverse arytenoids, it draws the arytenoids and the epiglottis towards each other and narrows the laryngeal inlet like a purse string. It also helps tilt the epiglottis backwards and down over the inlet. Both effects guard the airway when food and drink pass into the pharynx during swallowing. The fibres also support the ary-epiglottic fold and keep it under some tension.
Like the other arytenoid muscles it is supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus, and takes blood from the laryngeal branches of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries. Weakness of this sphincter mechanism, for example after nerve injury, can let fluids enter the larynx and cause coughing on swallowing.
Attachments, action and supply
- Origin
- Apex of the arytenoid cartilage, as a continuation of the oblique arytenoid.
- Insertion
- Lateral margin of the epiglottis, through the ary-epiglottic fold.
- Action
- Narrows the laryngeal inlet and helps draw the epiglottis down; supports the ary-epiglottic fold.
- Nerve supply
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve (from the vagus, CN X).
- Blood supply
- Superior and inferior laryngeal arteries, from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries.
Anthromica
See the ary-epiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
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