The cricothyroid is an intrinsic muscle of the larynx. It is also known as the ‘singer’s muscle‘, as it alters tone of voice and creates forceful speech by stretching and tensing the vocal ligaments.
- Attachments: Originates from the anterolateral aspect of the cricoid cartilage and attaches to the inferior margin and inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage.
- Actions: Stretches and tenses the vocal ligament
- Innervation: External laryngeal nerve (branch of superior laryngeal)
- Blood Supply: Cricothyroid artery (branch of the superior thyroid artery).
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Fig 1 – The cricothyroid muscles, highlighted in red.