Which muscle is primarily responsible for the abduction of vocal folds?

Which muscle is primarily responsible for the abduction of vocal folds?

• A. Lateral cricoarytenoid
• B. Interarytenoid
• C. Cricothyroid
• D. Posterior cricoarytenoid

Answer: (D)

The muscle primarily responsible for the abduction of the vocal folds is the posterior cricoarytenoid. This muscle plays a crucial role in the process of vocal fold abduction by acting on the arytenoid cartilages. When the posterior cricoarytenoid contracts, it pulls the muscular processes of the arytenoid cartilages outward, leading to the separation of the vocal folds, which is essential for normal breathing and the production of voice. Understanding the function of the other muscles listed is important as they have different roles. The lateral cricoarytenoid, for instance, is involved in the adduction of the vocal folds, bringing them together during phonation. The interarytenoid muscle also aids in adduction by further stabilizing and bringing the arytenoids together. The cricothyroid muscle mainly contributes to the tension and elongation of the vocal folds, affecting pitch but not directly involved in their abduction. Therefore, the posterior cricoarytenoid is correctly identified as the main muscle responsible for abducting the vocal folds due to its unique anatomical positioning and function in facilitating glottal opening.

The muscle primarily responsible for the abduction of the vocal folds is the posterior cricoarytenoid. This muscle plays a crucial role in the process of vocal fold abduction by acting on the arytenoid cartilages. When the posterior cricoarytenoid contracts, it pulls the muscular processes of the arytenoid cartilages outward, leading to the separation of the vocal folds, which is essential for normal breathing and the production of voice.

Understanding the function of the other muscles listed is important as they have different roles. The lateral cricoarytenoid, for instance, is involved in the adduction of the vocal folds, bringing them together during phonation. The interarytenoid muscle also aids in adduction by further stabilizing and bringing the arytenoids together. The cricothyroid muscle mainly contributes to the tension and elongation of the vocal folds, affecting pitch but not directly involved in their abduction.

Therefore, the posterior cricoarytenoid is correctly identified as the main muscle responsible for abducting the vocal folds due to its unique anatomical positioning and function in facilitating glottal opening.