Arytenoid cartilage
| Arytenoid cartilage | |
|---|---|
| File:Gray950.png The cartilages of the larynx seen from behind | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | 4th and 6th pharyngeal arch |
| Part of | Larynx |
| Articulations | Cricoid cartilage |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | cartilagines arytenoideae |
| TA98 | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 746: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| TH | {{#property:P1694}} |
| TE | {{#property:P1693}} |
| FMA | {{#property:P1402}} |
| Anatomical terminology [[[d:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 865: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|edit on Wikidata]]] | |
The arytenoid cartilages (/ærɪˈtiːnɔɪd/) are a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx. They are the site of attachment of the vocal cords. Each is pyramidal or ladle-shaped and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex. The arytenoid cartilages allow for movement of the vocal cords by articulating with the cricoid cartilage. They may be affected by arthritis, dislocations, or sclerosis.
Structure
[edit | edit source]The arytenoid cartilages are part of the posterior part of the larynx.[1]
Surfaces
[edit | edit source]The posterior surface is triangular, smooth, concave, and gives attachment to the arytenoid muscle and transversus.
The antero-lateral surface is somewhat convex and rough. On it, near the apex of the cartilage, is a rounded elevation (colliculus) from which a ridge (crista arcuata) curves at first backward and then downward and forward to the vocal process. The lower part of this crest intervenes between two depressions or foveæ, an upper, triangular, and a lower oblong in shape; the latter gives attachment to the thyroarytenoid muscle (vocal muscle).
The medial surface is narrow, smooth, and flattened, covered by mucous membrane.[1] It forms the lateral boundary of the intercartilaginous part of the rima glottidis.
Base and apex
[edit | edit source]The base of each cartilage is broad, and on it is a concave smooth surface, for articulation with the cricoid cartilage.
- Its lateral angle is called the muscular process.[1]
- Its anterior angle is called the vocal process.[1]
The apex of each cartilage is pointed, curved backward and medialward, and surmounted by a small conical, cartilaginous nodule, the corniculate cartilage. It articulates with the cricoid lamina with a ball-and-socket joint.[1]
Function
[edit | edit source]The arytenoid cartilages allow the vocal folds to be tensed, relaxed, or approximated. They articulate with the supero-lateral parts of the cricoid cartilage lamina, forming the cricoarytenoid joints at which they can come together, move apart, tilt anteriorly or posteriorly, and rotate.
Clinical significance
[edit | edit source]Arthritis
[edit | edit source]Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can affect the cricoarytenoid joint.[1] This can cause airway obstruction, which may be life-threatening.[1]
Dislocation
[edit | edit source]Rarely, the arytenoid cartilage may be dislocated.[2] This is most often caused by tracheal intubation,[2][3] major trauma to the larynx,[2] or more rarely a laryngeal mask airway.[4] This may cause symptoms with problems breathing, such as "breathiness" when breathing.[2] Electromyography and CT scans of the larynx may be used to assess a dislocation in detail.[2] Dislocations may be reduced using an endoscope.[2]
Laryngeal cancer
[edit | edit source]Some cases of laryngeal cancer cause the arytenoid cartilage to appear sclerotic.[5] This may be observed, and is highly predictive of laryngeal cancer.[5]
History
[edit | edit source]Etymology
[edit | edit source]The term "arytenoid" comes from Ancient Greek ἀρύταινα arytaina meaning "ladle" and εἶδος eidos, meaning "form".[6] They are also often described as "pyramid" shaped.[1] The word "arytenoid" is pronounced /ærɪˈtiːnɔɪd/.[7]
Other animals
[edit | edit source]The arytenoid cartilages are in the larynxes of many animals, including horses.[8]
Additional images
[edit | edit source]-
Sagittal section of the larynx and upper part of the trachea.
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The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind.
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Muscles of the larynx, seen from above.
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Arytenoid cartilage
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Arytenoid cartilage
References
[edit | edit source]Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
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- ^ Farlex dictionary: arytenoid cartilage Citing: Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition.
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