Anatom3DThyro-arytenoid
Musculus thyroarytenoideus · Štítnohlasivkový sval
Muscles
Looks like
A broad muscle inside the voice box running from the back of the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) to the arytenoid cartilages, forming the bulk of the vocal cords.
What it does
Shortens and relaxes the vocal cords, lowering the pitch, and helps close the airway.
Keeping it well
Voice overuse causes swelling and nodules on the cords; voice rest and speech therapy help. Hoarseness over 3 weeks needs an ENT check.