Preferred Label : posterior crico-arytenoid;
Uberon definition : The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are extremely small, paired muscles that extend
from the posterior cricoid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx. By
rotating the arytenoid cartilages laterally, these muscles abduct the vocal cords
and thereby open the rima glottidis. Their action opposes the lateral cricoarytenoid
muscles. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles receive innervation from the recurrent
laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X). Paralysis of the posterior cricoarytenoid
muscles may lead to asphyxiation as they are the only laryngeal muscles to open the
true vocal folds, allowing inspiration and expiration.;
Uberon synonym : posterior cricoarytenoid muscle; posterior cricoarytenoid; posterior cricoarytenoideus;
Uberon related term : cricoarytænoideus posterior; cricoarytaenoideus posterior;
Origin ID : 0008572;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
- Uberon cross reference
- has muscle antagonist
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are extremely small, paired muscles that extend
from the posterior cricoid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx. By
rotating the arytenoid cartilages laterally, these muscles abduct the vocal cords
and thereby open the rima glottidis. Their action opposes the lateral cricoarytenoid
muscles. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles receive innervation from the recurrent
laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X). Paralysis of the posterior cricoarytenoid
muscles may lead to asphyxiation as they are the only laryngeal muscles to open the
true vocal folds, allowing inspiration and expiration.
