The Muscular System Logo

All Muscles

Search Icon Search Icon

Laryngeal Muscles

By

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

Avatar photo Della Barnes, MS Anatomy

Last updated:

05/01/2026
Avatar photo
Della Barnes, MS Anatomy
UX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

The larynx, or voice box, is a flexible, hollow organ located in the upper front part of the neck. It is primarily made up of several paired and unpaired cartilages that serve as points of attachment for the six intrinsic laryngeal muscles. These muscles adjust the position, tension, and shape of the vocal folds (vocal cords) to help with phonation, pitch control, and also the protection of the airways. Additionally, the larynx has several extrinsic muscles that help with its actions.

Names and Anatomy of the Muscles of the Larynx

When discussing laryngeal muscles, primary consideration is given to the intrinsic muscles that originate within the larynx and act on its structures.

Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscles

There are five paired and one unpaired intrinsic muscle that make up the group of intrinsic muscles of the larynx. These muscles can be grouped based on their action on the vocal folds. Here is a list of their names with their basic anatomy and actions:

NameOriginInsertionActionInnervationBlood Supply
Tensors/relaxors of the vocal foldsIncludes a pair of antagonistic muscles that adjust vocal fold tension for pitch modulation. As they do not directly produce phonation, their dysfunction impairs pitch without causing loss of voice.
CricothyroidAnterolateral aspect of the cricoid cartilageStraight Part: Inferior border of the lamina of the thyroid cartilage
Oblique Part: Inferior cornu (horn) of the thyroid cartilage
Tensing the vocal folds to help with high-pitched vocalizationExternal laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal nerveCricothyroid artery
Thyroarytenoidinfero-anterior surface of the thyroid cartilage, between the two laminaanterior and lateralsurfaces of the arytenoid cartilageRelaxing the vocal cords to help produce low-pitch soundsRecurrent laryngeal nerveSuperior and inferior thyroid arteries
Abductors of the vocal foldsIncludes the only muscle that abducts the vocal folds to open the rima glottidis, allowing airflow during breathing; dysfunction may be life-threatening due to compromised airway patency.
Posterior CricoarytenoidPosterior surface of the cricoid cartilagePosterior and superior surfaces of the muscular process of arytenoid cartilageAbducting the vocal folds to help with breathing and vocalizationRecurrent laryngeal nerveSuperior and inferior thyroid arteries
Adductors of the vocal foldsIncludes the primary muscles for speech, which adduct the vocal folds to close the rima glottidis for phonation and airway protection; dysfunction may lead to loss of voice along with an increased risk of aspiration.
Lateral CricoarytenoidSuperior edge of the cricoid arch on the cricoid cartilageAnterior surface of the muscular process of the ipsilateral arytenoid cartilage— Adducting the vocal folds to help with vocalization
— Helping protect the airways by keeping it closed during swallowing
Recurrent laryngeal nerveSuperior and inferior thyroid arteries
Oblique arytenoidThe muscular process of the arytenoid cartilageThe apex and posterior surface of the arytenoid cartilage on the contralateral side— Working as a sphincter to close the laryngeal opening during swallowing and coughing
— Assisting in vocalization
Recurrent laryngeal nerveSuperior and inferior thyroid arteries
Transverse arytenoidPosterior surface of the muscular process and the lateral margin of the arytenoid cartilage on one sideThe corresponding area on the contralateral arytenoid cartilage— Helping close the laryngeal opening to prevent aspiration of food and water
— Assisting in vocalization
Recurrent laryngeal nerveSuperior and inferior thyroid arteries

An interesting point to notice about the cricothyroid muscle is that both its nerve and blood supply come from different sources compared to the rest of the intrinsic muscles. It is because the muscle is derived from the 4th pharyngeal arch during embryonic development, whereas the other five muscles arise from the 6th pharyngeal arch.

A mnemonic to easily remember the nerve supply to these muscles is “SCAR”:

  • S: Superior laryngeal nerve (via its external laryngeal branch)
  • C: Cricothyroid muscle
  • A: All other intrinsic muscles
  • R: Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscles

The extrinsic laryngeal muscles are muscles that originate outside the larynx and insert into the laryngeal cartilages or hyoid bone. Rather than directly acting on the vocal folds, their primary role is to move the larynx as a whole, which is essential for swallowing, phonation, and pitch control.

They come from different groups of neck and facial muscles, and are divided into two functional groups:

Muscles that elevate the larynx
Pharyngeal musclesInferior pharyngeal constrictors
Infrahyoid musclesThyrohyoid
Suprahyoid musclesMylohyoid, stylohyoid, digastric, geniohyoid
Muscles that depress the larynx
Infrahyoid musclesSternothyroid, omohyoid, sternohyoid

The muscles that elevate the larynx narrow the laryngeal opening during swallowing to protect the airway and guide food and liquids into the pharynx. The opposing muscles depress the larynx afterward to resume normal breathing.

References

  1. Laryngeal Muscles: TeachMeAnatomy.info
  2. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Laryngeal Muscles: NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
  3. Muscles of the Larynx: Kenhub.com
  4. Laryngeal Anatomy: Muscles and Innervation: OpenAnesthesia.org
  5. Laryngeal Muscles: IMAIOS.com
Avatar photo
Della Barnes, MS AnatomyUX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 + = 12