Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)

Aryepiglottic part of oblique arytenoid

Musculus arytenoideus obliquus, pars aryepiglottica

Origin

Posterior surface of the muscular process/apex of the contralateral arytenoid cartilage (crossing fibers)

Insertion

Lateral border of the epiglottic cartilage, via the aryepiglottic fold

Function

Narrows the entrance to the larynx (laryngeal inlet) by pulling the aryepiglottic folds together during swallowing, protecting against aspiration

Innervation

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of the vagus nerve, CN X)

Movement & chain

Works together with transverse and oblique arytenoid in closing the laryngeal inlet, coordinated with epiglottic tilting during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

Palpation

Not palpable externally; visualized endoscopically at the laryngeal inlet during laryngoscopy.

Clinical

Paralysis (e.g. from recurrent laryngeal nerve injury) increases aspiration risk because the laryngeal inlet does not close adequately during swallowing.

Segmental innervation

Vagus nerve (X), motor via the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

In clinical practice

Essential for laryngeal inlet closure during swallowing; speech therapy swallowing maneuvers for aspiration prevention.

Region in the model

Head and neck muscles (chewing, facial, and throat muscles)