Aryepiglotticus (Left) (Musculus aryepiglotticus)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The aryepiglotticus is a delicate intrinsic laryngeal muscle running within the free margin of the aryepiglottic fold. Arising as the continuous superior extension of the contralateral oblique arytenoid muscle from the arytenoid apex, it curves anterosuperiorly to insert into the lateral border of the epiglottis. It acts as an active sphincter closing the laryngeal inlet.
Origin & insertion
From the apex of the arytenoid cartilage (continuation of the oblique arytenoid) to the lateral border of the epiglottis.
Action
Pulls the epiglottis posteroinferiorly and constricts the laryngeal inlet to protect the airway during swallowing.
Innervation
Recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of vagus nerve, cranial nerve X).
Clinical notes
Marked edema of the loose submucosa enclosing the aryepiglotticus muscle in acute supraglottic epiglottitis causes rapid, life-threatening laryngeal inlet occlusion.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Aryepiglotticus (Left)?
The aryepiglotticus is a delicate intrinsic laryngeal muscle running within the free margin of the aryepiglottic fold. Arising as the continuous superior extension of the contralateral oblique arytenoid muscle from the arytenoid apex, it curves anterosuperiorly to insert into the lateral border of the epiglottis. It acts as an active sphincter closing the laryngeal inlet.
Why is the Aryepiglotticus (Left) clinically important?
Marked edema of the loose submucosa enclosing the aryepiglotticus muscle in acute supraglottic epiglottitis causes rapid, life-threatening laryngeal inlet occlusion.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details