Transverse arytenoid

Looks like

The only unpaired muscle of the voice box, a band running straight across between the backs of the two arytenoid cartilages.

What it does

Pulls the arytenoid cartilages together, closing the back gap between the vocal cords.

Keeping it well

Powered by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. A breathy voice suggests the cords are not closing; see an ENT doctor.

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