[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Arytenoid cartilages [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Arytenoid cartilages The arytenoid cartilages are two small pyramid-shaped cartilages at the back of the larynx (voice box); they swivel to open and close the vocal folds. Official name: Arytenoid cartilage [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=arytenoid_cartilages&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Two small pyramid cartilages on the back of the cricoid. ## What it does Swivel to open and close the vocal folds. ## Key points - Every movement of the [vocal folds](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vocal-fold/) goes through them: they rock, glide and rotate on the cricoid lamina, moved by the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid, arytenoid and [thyroarytenoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/musculus-thyreoarytenoideus/) muscles - Vocal process points forward and holds the back end of the vocal ligament; muscular process points sideways and takes the cricoarytenoid muscles - Arytenoid dislocation (after intubation or neck trauma) gives a hoarse, breathy voice and can be mistaken for [recurrent laryngeal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/recurrent-laryngeal-nerve/) palsy ## Key facts **Where** Paired pyramids on top of the cricoid lamina **Function** Vocal process anchors the vocal fold, muscular process takes the cricoarytenoid muscles; they rotate and slide to open and close the glottis ## Relations **Below** Sloping upper border of the cricoid lamina, at the synovial cricoarytenoid joint **Above** [Corniculate cartilages](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/corniculate-cartilage/) on each apex, inside the aryepiglottic folds **In front** Vocal process, from which the vocal ligament and the vocalis run forward to the [thyroid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/); the vestibular ligament attaches just above it **Medial** The opposite arytenoid, across the interarytenoid region at the back of the glottis **Behind** Transverse and oblique [arytenoid muscles](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/transverse-arytenoid-muscle/), covered by the mucosa of the laryngopharynx **Lateral** Muscular process: the [posterior cricoarytenoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/musculus-cricoarytenoideus-posterior/) pulls it from behind, the [lateral cricoarytenoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-cricoarytenoid-muscle/) from the front ## How to find it Not palpable. On laryngoscopy they are the two mounds at the back of the glottis, capped by the corniculate tubercles; how they move on breathing in and on a sustained vowel is how vocal fold mobility is judged. ## On imaging CT shows them at the level of the glottis. On the side of a vocal fold paralysis the arytenoid tends to tip forward and inward, with a wider pyriform sinus and laryngeal ventricle on that side. ## Clinical notes - Contact ulcer or intubation granuloma forms on the mucosa over the vocal process, where a tracheal tube or forceful voice use rubs - Laryngeal electromyography helps tell a fixed joint (dislocation, arthritis) from a nerve palsy when a vocal fold does not move - In bilateral vocal fold paralysis, removing part of one arytenoid (arytenoidectomy) widens the posterior glottis for breathing - Cricoarytenoid joint arthritis, as in rheumatoid arthritis, can stiffen the joint and cause hoarseness or stridor ## Development They arise from sixth-arch cartilage together with the cricoid; the body is hyaline cartilage that may ossify with age, while the tip of the vocal process is elastic cartilage. ## Related conditions - [Laryngeal cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/laryngeal-cancer/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What attaches to the vocal process and the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilages? Vocal process: the back end of the vocal ligament. Muscular process: the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles. ## What can arytenoid cartilage dislocation after intubation be mistaken for? Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy; both give a hoarse, breathy voice. ## Which test helps tell a fixed arytenoid joint from a nerve palsy when a vocal fold does not move? Laryngeal electromyography. ## Where does an intubation granuloma form over the arytenoid cartilages? On the mucosa over the vocal process, where a tracheal tube or forceful voice use rubs. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/arytenoid-cartilage/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** cartilago arytenoidea TA2 983 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cartílago Aritenoides DeCS D001193 **English (TA2)** Arytenoid cartilage **Also called** cartilago arytaenoidea · cartilago arytaenoides ## Related - [Vocal folds](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vocal-fold/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=1199&filter=ths_termall&q=Arytenoid%20Cartilage); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Larynx Arytenoid Cartilage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513252/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Larynx Cartilage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553185/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Branchial Region (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/arytenoid-cartilage/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/arytenoid-cartilage/