Cricoarytenoid Joint

articulatio cricoarytaenoidea

The cricoarytenoid joint is a true synovial joint between the base of each arytenoid cartilage and the superior surface of the cricoid cartilage lamina. It is the most mobile laryngeal joint, allowing the arytenoids to rotate, glide, and tilt, movements that open and close the glottis by changing the position of the vocal processes and the attached vocal folds.

Region: Neck

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Rheumatoid arthritis frequently involves the cricoarytenoid joint, producing hoarseness, sore throat, and stridor due to impaired vocal fold mobility. Fixation from arthritis or ankylosis can mimic vocal fold paralysis. Intubation injury to the cricoarytenoid joint can cause arytenoid dislocation, presenting as persistent hoarseness post-extubation. Diagnosis requires laryngoscopy and, if needed, laryngeal CT. The joint is accessed surgically during arytenoidectomy for bilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Cricoarytenoid Rheumatoid Arthritis

Synovitis of the cricoarytenoid joint in rheumatoid disease produces progressive hoarseness and exertional dyspnoea, occasionally causing acute upper airway obstruction during disease flares, requiring systemic disease management and sometimes tracheostomy.

Arytenoid Dislocation Post-Intubation

Traumatic displacement of the arytenoid from the cricoid during endotracheal intubation or extubation causes unilateral vocal fold immobility and hoarseness, managed with early closed reduction under endoscopic guidance.