The lateral cricoarytenoid is the primary adductor of the vocal fold, bringing the arytenoid cartilages together to close the glottis for phonation and protect against aspiration. Its action is coordinated with the interarytenoid muscles.
| Origin | Upper surface of the cricoid arch — lateral portion |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage |
| Nerve Supply | Recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X) |
| Blood Supply | Laryngeal branch of inferior thyroid artery |
| Actions | Adducts the vocal folds — rocks the arytenoid forward to close the glottis; Primary glottic closure muscle for phonation and airway protection |
|---|
Lateral cricoarytenoid denervation in RLN palsy produces a paralysed, laterally positioned vocal fold. Posterior glottic stenosis can involve the LCA. In arytenoidectomy for bilateral vocal fold paralysis, the LCA tendon is released as part of the procedure to widen the posterior airway.
Not palpable — assessed by laryngoscopy showing arytenoid movement.
Glottic incompetence from LCA denervation in recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, producing a breathy voice and aspiration risk, managed by vocal fold medialization thyroplasty.
