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Uberon Ontology

posterior crico-arytenoid

Term ID
UBERON:0008572
Synonyms
  • cricoarytaenoideus posterior
  • cricoarytænoideus posterior
  • musculus cricoarytenoideus posterior
  • posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
Definition
The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles are extremely small, paired muscles that extend from the posterior cricoid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx. By rotating the arytenoid cartilages laterally, these muscles abduct the vocal cords and thereby open the rima glottidis. Their action opposes the lateral cricoarytenoid muscles. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles receive innervation from the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X). Paralysis of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles may lead to asphyxiation as they are the only laryngeal muscles to open the true vocal folds, allowing inspiration and expiration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posterior_cricoarytenoid_muscle
References
Ontology
Uberon Ontology
Relationships
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