The
posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are extremely small, paired muscles that extend from the posterior cricoid cartilage to the
arytenoid cartilageThe arytenoid cartilages are a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx, to which the vocal cords are attached.Each is pyramidal in form, and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex.-Surfaces:...
s in the
larynxThe larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production...
. By rotating the arytenoid cartilages laterally, these muscles abduct the vocal cords and thereby open the
rima glottidisThe rima glottidis is the opening between the true vocal cords and the arytenoid cartilages.It is normally subdivided into two parts, that between the arytenoid cartilages is called the intercartilaginous part , and that between the vocal folds the intermembranous part or glottis vocalis.It is...
. Their action opposes the
lateral cricoarytenoid muscleThe lateral cricoarytenoid muscles extend from the lateral cricoid cartilage to the ipsilateral arytenoid cartilage. By rotating the arytenoid cartilages medially, these muscles adduct the vocal cords and thereby close the rima glottidis, protecting the airway...
s. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles receive innervation from the recurrent laryngeal branch of the
vagus nerveThe vagus nerve , also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem...
(CN X).
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The
posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are extremely small, paired muscles that extend from the posterior cricoid cartilage to the
arytenoid cartilageThe arytenoid cartilages are a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx, to which the vocal cords are attached.Each is pyramidal in form, and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex.-Surfaces:...
s in the
larynxThe larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production...
. By rotating the arytenoid cartilages laterally, these muscles abduct the vocal cords and thereby open the
rima glottidisThe rima glottidis is the opening between the true vocal cords and the arytenoid cartilages.It is normally subdivided into two parts, that between the arytenoid cartilages is called the intercartilaginous part , and that between the vocal folds the intermembranous part or glottis vocalis.It is...
. Their action opposes the
lateral cricoarytenoid muscleThe lateral cricoarytenoid muscles extend from the lateral cricoid cartilage to the ipsilateral arytenoid cartilage. By rotating the arytenoid cartilages medially, these muscles adduct the vocal cords and thereby close the rima glottidis, protecting the airway...
s. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles receive innervation from the recurrent laryngeal branch of the
vagus nerveThe vagus nerve , also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem...
(CN X).