Cricothyroid muscle

The cricothyroid muscle is the only tensor muscle of the larynx aiding with phonation. It attaches to the anterolateral aspect of the cricoid and the inferior cornu and lower lamina of the thyroid cartilage, and its action tilts the thyroid forward to help tense the vocal cords. Not to be confused with the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles, which are the only muscles directly responsible for opening (abducting) the space between the vocal cords to allow for respiration.

Cricothyroid muscle
Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed.
The ligaments of the larynx. Antero-lateral view.
Details
OriginAnterior and lateral cricoid cartilage
InsertionInferior cornu and lamina of the thyroid cartilage
NerveExternal branch of Superior laryngeal nerve (branch of the vagus nerve)
Actionstension and elongation of the vocal folds
Identifiers
LatinMusculus cricothyroideus
TAA06.2.08.001
FMA46417
Anatomical terms of muscle

Action

The cricothyroid muscle produces tension and elongation of the vocal folds by drawing up the arch of the cricoid cartilage and tilting back the upper border of the cricoid cartilage lamina; the distance between the vocal processes and the angle of the thyroid is thus increased, and the folds are consequently elongated, resulting in higher pitch phonation.

Innervation

This muscle is the only laryngeal muscle innervated by the superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve known as the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (rather than the recurrent laryngeal nerve).

Additional images
  • The veins of the thyroid gland.
  • The fascia and middle thyroid veins.
  • Side view of the larynx, showing muscular attachments.
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See also
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