Espiral AtlasArytenoid, corniculate and cuneiform cartilages
cartilagines arytenoideae, corniculatae et cuneiformes
Study entry
Parts
The arytenoids are pyramidal, with three faces, an apex above, a vocal process in front (posterior attachment of the vocal ligament) and a large muscular process that projects laterally from the base and serves as a lever for the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles. The apex supports the corniculate cartilage and attaches to the aryepiglottic fold. The corniculate and cuneiform cartilages appear as small nodules in the posterior part of the aryepiglottic folds; the corniculate ones join the apices of the arytenoids; the cuneiform ones do not join the other cartilages directly.
Joints
The cricoarytenoid joints, between the bases of the arytenoids and the superolateral surfaces of the lamina of the cricoid, allow gliding of the arytenoids (bringing them together or apart), anterior and posterior tilting and rotation, important in bringing together, separating and tensing the vocal folds.
Source: cap. 9, «Esqueleto laríngeo»