The Laryngeal Musculature

• The larynx is associated with two different groups of muscles: the intrinsic laryngeal muscles and the extrinsic laryngeal muscles
• The intrinsic laryngeal muscles are totally contained within the larynx and have two functions
• Functions of intrinsic laryngeal muscles

  • regulates tension in vocal folds
  • opens and closes glottis
• The extrinsic laryngeal muscles connect the larynx to neighboring structures and mvoe it up and down during swallowing and speaking
• The extrinsic and intrinsic muscles cooperate to prevent food and liquid from entering glottis during swallowing