Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles are one of the muscles of the vocal folds. Bilaterally, they arise from the lateral surface of the arch of the cricoid cartilage. They pass posterosuperiorly to insert into the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage.
They are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (X).
The lateral cricoarytenoid muscles act to draw the muscular processes of the arytenoid cartilages anteriorly. This rotates the cartilages resulting in adduction of the vocal folds. Consequently, the rima glottidis is closed.
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page