Cricothyroid muscle
Cricothyroid Muscle
The Cricothyroid Muscle (pronunciation: /kriːkoʊˈθaɪrɔɪd ˈmʌsl̩/) is a small, thin muscle located in the neck, specifically in the anterior part of the larynx. It plays a crucial role in vocalization by controlling the tension and length of the vocal cords.
Etymology
The term "Cricothyroid" is derived from the Greek words "krikos" meaning "ring" and "thyreos" meaning "shield", referring to the two structures it connects - the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage.
Function
The primary function of the Cricothyroid Muscle is to tense and elongate the vocal cords. This is achieved by tilting the thyroid cartilage forward, which in turn increases the distance between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. This action results in the stretching and tensing of the vocal cords, allowing for higher pitched sounds to be produced.
Related Terms
- Larynx: The hollow muscular organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the vocal cords.
- Vocal cords: Two bands of smooth muscle tissue found in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.
- Cricoid cartilage: The ring-shaped cartilage of the larynx.
- Thyroid cartilage: The largest cartilage of the larynx, forming the "Adam's apple".
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cricothyroid muscle
- Wikipedia's article - Cricothyroid muscle
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