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

Thyroepiglottic part of thyroarytenoid

Musculus thyroarytenoideus, pars thyroepiglottica

Origin

Inner surface of the thyroid cartilage, below the vocalis fibers

Insertion

Lateral border of the epiglottis and the aryepiglottic fold

Function

Widens the entrance to the larynx and pulls the epiglottis downward; contributes to the closure mechanism of the larynx that prevents aspiration during swallowing

Innervation

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

Movement & chain

Works together with aryepiglotticus as part of the sphincter mechanism that closes the laryngeal inlet during swallowing, unlike the vocalis fibers, which mainly tense the vocal folds.

Palpation

Not palpable externally; located within the aryepiglottic fold.

Clinical

Part of the complex sphincter mechanism of the larynx; dysfunction here can contribute to aspiration complaints.

Segmental innervation

Motor via the recurrent laryngeal nerve (vagus nerve X); no spinal segment.

In clinical practice

Depresses epiglottis over the laryngeal inlet during swallowing; evaluated in neurogenic dysphagia assessments.

Region in the model

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