Cricothyroid muscle
Cricothyroid muscle is a small, but significant muscle located in the neck, playing a crucial role in the modulation of voice by tensing the vocal cords. It is part of the larynx, which is often referred to as the voice box. The cricothyroid muscle is involved in the production of higher-pitched sounds by increasing the tension on the vocal cords.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The cricothyroid muscle is situated at the front of the larynx, stretching between the cricoid and thyroid cartilage. It is divided into two parts: the pars recta and the pars oblique. The pars recta extends vertically from the anterior aspect of the cricoid cartilage to the inferior margin of the thyroid cartilage, while the pars oblique runs more obliquely.
Innervation[edit | edit source]
The cricothyroid muscle is uniquely innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (Cranial nerve X). This nerve supplies the muscle with the motor function required for adjusting the tension of the vocal cords.
Blood Supply[edit | edit source]
Blood supply to the cricothyroid muscle is primarily provided by the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the cricothyroid muscle is to lengthen and tense the vocal cords. This action is crucial for the production of high-pitched sounds. When the muscle contracts, it pulls the thyroid cartilage forward relative to the cricoid cartilage, increasing the tension on the vocal cords and thus raising the pitch of the voice.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
- Paralysis
Cricothyroid muscle paralysis can result from damage to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. This condition can lead to a loss of ability to produce high-pitched sounds, affecting the quality of the voice.
- Surgery
During thyroidectomy or other neck surgeries, care must be taken to avoid damage to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve to preserve the function of the cricothyroid muscle.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This anatomy article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
