The arytenoid muscle or interarytenoid muscle is a composite intrinsic muscle of the larynx, consisting of a
transverse part and an
oblique part - the two parts may be considered as separate muscles: an unpaired
transverse arytenoid muscle, and a bilaterally paired
oblique arytenoid muscle.
The two constituent parts differ in their attachments, structure and actions. Both receive motor innervation from the
recurrent laryngeal nerve(s) (each nerve being a branch of one
vagus nerve (CN X)).
Clinical significance
Electromyography
Function of the arytenoid muscle is a good method to determine function of the
recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Continuous
electromyography
Electromyography (EMG) is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyo ...
of the arytenoid muscle can provide confidence to
surgeons that the recurrent laryngeal nerve is not damaged during
neck surgeries, such as
thyroidectomy.
Other animals
The arytenoid muscle is found in many animals, including
dogs.
Additional images
File:Gray950.png, The cartilages of the larynx. Posterior view.
File:Gray959.png, Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed.
File:Slide6kkkk.JPG, Aryepiglotic muscle
File:Gray960.png, Muscles of the larynx, seen from above.
File:Gray1028.png, Dissection of the muscles of the palate from behind.
References
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Muscles of the head and neck