Oblique Arytenoid Muscles, Posterior View

Description

Posteriorly, the paired arytenoid cartilages sit atop the cricoid lamina, and the oblique arytenoid muscles (musculi arytenoidei obliqui) cross like an X from the muscular process and posterolateral surface of one arytenoid to the apex of the contralateral arytenoid. Their fibers run superomedially, continuing as the aryepiglottic muscles within the aryepiglottic folds toward the lateral margin of the epiglottis. Lateral to the arytenoids, the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles occupy the posterior surface of the cricoid and converge on each muscular process, while the thyroid cartilage forms the superior anterior framework seen in silhouette from behind and the tracheal rings descend inferiorly. This posterior perspective matters because it clarifies how the oblique arytenoids adduct the arytenoid cartilages and narrow the posterior part of the rima glottidis, coordinating with transverse arytenoid fibers during phonation and protective laryngeal closure. It also helps separate adductors from the only true vocal fold abductors, the posterior cricoarytenoids, which are at risk in recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and can leave a paramedian vocal fold with an impaired airway reserve. Small muscles, big functional consequences. Use this plate for otolaryngology teaching on intrinsic laryngeal musculature, speech and voice science modules explaining arytenoid rotation and glottic closure, and surgical atlases discussing posterior laryngeal exposure during endoscopic assessment or arytenoid procedures. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.