Corniculate Cartilage, Posterior View

Description

Arising from the apex of the arytenoid cartilage, the paired corniculate cartilages project superiorly as small horn-like nodules within the aryepiglottic folds, positioned posterior to the laryngeal inlet. From a posterior perspective, they sit just medial to the cuneiform cartilages (when present) and superior to the cricoid lamina, framing the interarytenoid region. Inferiorly, the arytenoids articulate with the cricoid, and the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles occupy the posterior surface of the cricoid lamina adjacent to the cricoarytenoid joints. Scale is small, but orientation is clear. This posterior view matters because the corniculates are practical landmarks for the posterior commissure and the arytenoid apices during endolaryngeal assessment, even though the cartilages themselves are fibroelastic rather than hyaline. Arytenoid edema, granuloma formation, and posterior glottic stenosis after prolonged intubation often distort the contour of the arytenoid apex and the overlying mucosa, and that distortion can be appreciated relative to the corniculate “cap” at the top of each arytenoid. It is also the region where the interarytenoid and posterior cricoarytenoid muscle actions are taught in relation to vocal fold adduction and abduction. Use this illustration in head and neck anatomy teaching to anchor the posterior laryngeal framework, or in otolaryngology texts discussing microlaryngoscopy, posterior glottic scar, and arytenoid-level landmarks for airway evaluation. It also supports patient-facing and medicolegal graphics on intubation-related laryngeal injury by clarifying where the arytenoid apex and corniculate contour sit in the posterior larynx. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.