arytenoid cartilage

anatomy

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June 18, 2026

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The arytenoid cartilages are a pair of small, pyramidal structures that sit atop the cricoid cartilage in the larynx. They are crucial for voice production as they move the vocal cords sideways. The intrinsic muscles of the larynx, such as the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoids, attach to the arytenoids and control their movement. This movement is essential for opening and closing the glottis, which allows for breathing and the production of sound. The arytenoid cartilages also play a role in protecting the airway during swallowing.1234

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4 Britannica Sources

speech - Intrinsic muscles
speech - Cartilages of the larynx
speech - Vocal cords
human respiratory system - The larynx

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human respiratory system
The larynx
…pyramidal pieces of cartilage, the arytenoid cartilages. The vocal ligaments are part of a tube, resembling an organ pipe, made of elastic tissue. Just above the vocal cords, the epiglottis is also attached to the back of the thyroid plate by its stalk. The cricoid, another large cartilaginous piece of…
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…pyramidal pieces of cartilage, the arytenoid cartilages. The vocal ligaments are part of a tube, resembling an organ pipe, made of elastic tissue. Just above the vocal cords, the epiglottis is also attached to the back of the thyroid plate by its stalk. The cricoid, another large cartilaginous piece of…
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speech
Cartilages of the larynx
…paired cartilages are the two arytenoids, which ride on the cricoid plate and move the vocal cords sideways; the two corniculate cartilages of Santorini on top of the arytenoids; and the two cuneiform cartilages of Wrisberg. The cartilages are held together by ligaments and membranes, particularly around their joints. The…
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…paired cartilages are the two arytenoids, which ride on the cricoid plate and move the vocal cords sideways; the two corniculate cartilages of Santorini on top of the arytenoids; and the two cuneiform cartilages of Wrisberg. The cartilages are held together by ligaments and membranes, particularly around their joints. The…
Read More