Arytenoid cartilage
Arytenoid Cartilage
The Arytenoid Cartilage (/ˌærɪˈtiːnɔɪd/; from the Greek arytaina, meaning 'ladle', and -eides, meaning 'form') is a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx, to which the vocal cords are attached. They are situated at the upper, back part of the larynx, above the cricoid cartilage.
Structure
Each arytenoid cartilage is pyramid-like in shape and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex. The surfaces are a lateral, a medial, and a posterior. The base is broad and is directed downward and laterally. The apex is pointed, curved backward, and gives attachment to the corniculate cartilage.
Function
The arytenoid cartilages are primarily involved in vocal cord movement and function. They allow for the opening and closing of the vocal cords, as well as for the tension and relaxation of the vocal cords. This is essential for the production of different pitches and volumes of sound.
Clinical Significance
Abnormalities or injury to the arytenoid cartilage can lead to voice disorders, such as hoarseness, voice fatigue, and aphonia. Conditions such as laryngitis, laryngeal paralysis, and laryngeal cancer can also affect the arytenoid cartilages.
Related Terms
- Larynx: The hollow muscular organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the vocal cords in humans and other mammals; the voice box.
- Vocal cords: Also known as vocal folds, they are involved in creating sounds through vocalization.
- Cricoid cartilage: The ring-shaped structure that forms the lower part of the larynx.
- Corniculate cartilage: A pair of horn-shaped pieces of elastic cartilage located at the apex of each arytenoid cartilage.
- Hoarseness: An abnormal change in the voice caused by a variety of conditions.
- Voice fatigue: A condition characterized by tiredness or strain in the voice.
- Aphonia: The inability to produce voiced sound.
- Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx, typically resulting in hoarseness or loss of the voice.
- Laryngeal paralysis: A condition in which the muscles that control the arytenoid cartilages become weak or paralyzed.
- Laryngeal cancer: A type of cancer that occurs in the larynx.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Arytenoid cartilage
- Wikipedia's article - Arytenoid cartilage
This MedicineGPT article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski