Arytenoid cartilage

Anatomy

Pyramid shaped cartilages sitting on top of the cricoid cartilage.

The base is concave and articulates with the slopping articular facet on the superior lateral surface of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage. The anterior angle of the base is extended out into a vocal process. The apex articulates with a corniculate cartilage.

Both medial surfaces of the aryrenoid cartilage face each other. The anterolateral surface – there are two depressions separated by a ridge.

Functions

Part of the larynx which is both a valve to close the lower respiratory and an instrument to produce sound. It also acts as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments.

The superior depression on the anterolateral surface is the attachment point for the vestibular ligament and the inferior depression is the attachment for the vocalis muscle. The vocal ligament attaches to the vocal process.

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