Corpus: Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is part of the laryngeal musculature and serves as the only muscle responsible for opening the glottis.

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is located on the dorsal aspect of the larynx, between the cricoid cartilage and the arytenoid cartilage. It originates from the posterior surface of the cricoid cartilage plate and extends laterally upward to attach to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage.

During contraction, the muscle rotates the arytenoid cartilage outward, rotating it around its vertical axis. This action lifts the vocal process and moves it laterally, thereby opening the glottis.

Like all internal laryngeal muscles, the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is innervated by the inferior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only muscle in the larynx that acts as a glottis opener, ensuring the "breathing position" of the glottis during inspiration. Additionally, it works in conjunction with the cricothyroid muscle to tense the vocal cords. During sleep, the muscle's tone maintains an open glottis to ensure unobstructed airflow.

The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, along with the other three muscles that close the glottis, acts as an antagonist to the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

Unilateral paralysis of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (posticus paralysis), often due to recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, can result in hoarseness. Bilateral paralysis of this muscle leads to glottis closure, obstructing the airway and causing acute dyspnea and inspiratory stridor. In such cases, an emergency tracheostomy may be required to secure the airway.