In the human
larynx, the cuneiform cartilages (from Latin: ''cunei'', "wedge-shaped"; also known as cartilages of
Wrisberg
Heinrich August Wrisberg (20 June 1739 – 29 March 1808) was an anatomist. He also published under the Latinized version of his name as Henricus Augustus Wrisberg.
Education
He obtained his MD in 1763 at the University of Göttingen with a thes ...
) are two small, elongated pieces of yellow elastic
cartilage, placed one on either side, in the
aryepiglottic fold
The aryepiglottic folds are triangular folds of mucous membrane of the larynx. They enclose ligamentous and muscular fibres. They extend from the lateral borders of the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages, hence the name 'aryepiglottic'. They ...
.
The cuneiforms are paired cartilages that sit on top of and move with the
arytenoids
The arytenoid cartilages () are a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx. They are the site of attachment of the vocal cords. Each is pyramidal or ladle-shaped and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex. The arytenoid ...
. They are located above and in front of the
corniculate cartilages
The corniculate cartilages (cartilages of Santorini) are two small conical nodules consisting of elastic cartilage, which articulate with the summits of the arytenoid cartilages and serve to prolong them posteriorly and medially.
They are situate ...
, and the presence of these two pairs of cartilages result in small bulges on the surface of the
mucous membrane
A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It i ...
.
Covered by the aryepiglottic folds, the cuneiforms form the lateral aspect of the
laryngeal inlet
The laryngeal inlet (laryngeal aditus, laryngeal aperture) is the opening that connects the pharynx and the larynx.
Borders
Its borders are formed by:
* the free curved edge of the epiglottis, anteriorly
* the arytenoid cartilages, the cornicul ...
, while the corniculates form the posterior aspect, and the epiglottis the anterior.
Function of the cuneiform cartilages is to support the vocal folds and lateral aspects of the epiglottis. They also provide a degree of solidity to the folds in which they are embedded.
Additional images
References
Human head and neck
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