Superior Perspective of the Corniculate Cartilage

Description

Seen from a superior laryngeal perspective, the paired corniculate cartilages cap the apices of the arytenoid cartilages along the posterior margin of the rima glottidis, sitting posteromedial to the aryepiglottic folds and superior to the cricoid lamina. Anteriorly, the true vocal folds (plicae vocales) define the medial borders of the glottic opening and converge toward the anterior commissure, while the vestibular folds lie superior and more lateral within the laryngeal inlet. Posteriorly, the interarytenoid region bridges the arytenoids, and the laryngeal framework of thyroid and cricoid cartilage forms the supportive ring around these smaller paired elements. Small cartilages matter. Placement of the corniculate cartilage is not trivia, it is a landmark for the posterior supraglottis and a practical reference when teaching arytenoid motion and posterior glottic closure. During flexible laryngoscopy, the corniculates often appear as paired posterior “mounds,” and their relationship to the arytenoids helps distinguish normal posterior glottic configuration from edema or granuloma at the vocal processes, and from posterior glottic stenosis after prolonged endotracheal intubation. For phonosurgery and airway work, this view clarifies how intrinsic muscles such as thyroarytenoid and the interarytenoid complex coordinate adduction to achieve efficient phonation. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and head and neck modules to orient students to the laryngeal inlet, in otolaryngology teaching files discussing posterior glottic pathology, or in speech language pathology materials explaining vocal fold closure mechanics and supraglottic landmarks. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.