Arythenoid Cartilage, Superior View

Description

Arytenoid cartilages sit on the superior border of the cricoid lamina, and a superior view typically resolves each arytenoid as a three-sided pyramid with an anteromedially directed vocal process and a more posterolateral muscular process. The base of the arytenoid is apposed to the cricoid’s superior articular facet at the cricoarytenoid joint, positioned posterolateral to the airway lumen and just inferior to the aryepiglottic folds. Medially, the paired arytenoids frame the posterior aspect of the rima glottidis, with the interarytenoid region spanning between them. Small, hard landmarks. This perspective matters because arytenoid rotation and gliding at the cricoarytenoid joint are the mechanical basis of vocal fold abduction and adduction, and the joint surface is a common locus for post intubation edema, hematoma, and cricoarytenoid arthritis presenting as hoarseness or painful phonation. Superior orientation also clarifies why recurrent laryngeal nerve injury produces impaired posterior cricoarytenoid function, leaving the vocal process relatively medial and narrowing the glottic airway. It is the view that makes the axis of rotation intuitive. Use this artwork for laryngeal anatomy teaching in head and neck, speech and swallowing, or anesthesiology curricula, and for figure plates in otolaryngology texts describing arytenoid dislocation, posterior glottic stenosis, and endoscopic arytenoidectomy or laterofixation techniques. It also supports patient education graphics that explain why arytenoid swelling can mimic vocal fold paralysis on laryngoscopy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.