Oblique Arytenoid Muscles, Posterior View

Description

Posteriorly, the laryngeal framework is opened to emphasize the paired oblique arytenoid muscles (musculi arytenoidei obliqui) as they cross from the muscular process and posterolateral surface of one arytenoid cartilage to the apex of the opposite arytenoid. Superior to the arytenoid apices, their fibers continue toward the aryepiglottic folds as the aryepiglottic muscles, lying inferior to the epiglottis. Inferiorly, the cricoid cartilage forms the base, while the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles occupy the broad posterior lamina and run superolaterally toward the arytenoid muscular processes, lateral to the midline interarytenoid region. Functionally, the oblique arytenoids act with the transverse arytenoid to adduct the arytenoid cartilages and narrow the posterior rima glottidis, a requirement for efficient phonation and for protective laryngeal closure during swallowing. The same posterior view also clarifies the antagonistic relationship with the posterior cricoarytenoid, the only intrinsic muscle that abducts the vocal folds; injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve can weaken this abduction and leave the interarytenoid complex unopposed, a common mechanism behind postoperative airway compromise after thyroid or anterior cervical spine surgery. Small muscle, big consequences. Use this plate for teaching intrinsic laryngeal musculature in gross anatomy, otolaryngology, and speech-language pathology courses, and for figure support in discussions of posterior glottic closure, vocal fold mobility exams, or laryngeal reinnervation and medialization procedures. It also fits cleanly into manuscripts on dysphonia, aspiration, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy where precise posterior relationships between arytenoid cartilages and their adductors matter. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.