Aryepiglotticus

Looks like

A few thin muscle fibres running inside the fold of tissue from the top of the small arytenoid cartilages to the side of the epiglottis.

What it does

Helps pull the entrance of the voice box closed during swallowing so food does not go into the airway.

Keeping it well

Powered by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Frequent coughing or choking on drinks needs a swallowing assessment.

Related conditions

• Botulism
• Croup & epiglottitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Head and neck cancer
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Laryngitis & voice disorders
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Tetanus