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The cricoarytenoid ligament: its morphology and possible implications for vocal cord movements

Le ligament crico-arythénoïdien: sa morphologie et son implication possible dans la mobilité des cordes vocales

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Summary

The cricoarytenoid ligament was studied in sections of ten plastinated adult human larynges. The collagenous fibres forming the ligament originate from a small area at the upper rim of the cricoid lamina and from the adjacent dorsal cricoid perichondrium. The fibres strengthen the dorsal and medial part of the capsule of the cricoarytenoid joint. They are arranged in several layers separated by adipose tissue. The most medial layer of the collagenous fibres is attached to the medial aspect of the vocal process, whereas the vocal cord is anchored more laterally. Contrary to the descriptions in the literature, no fibres of the cricoarytenoid ligament join the vocal cord. Especially, the medial part of the ligament is important for controlling abduction and adduction of the vocal cords. Voice disturbance may result from structural asymmetry of the cricoarytenoid ligament.

Résumé

Le ligament crico-arythénoïdien a été étudié à partir de coupes plastinées de dix larynx humains adultes. Les fibres de collagène qui constituent le ligament s'insèrent sur une petite zone du bord supérieur de l'arc du cartilage thyroïde et sur le périchondre cricoïdien dorsal adjacent. Les fibres renforcent la partie dorsale et médiane de la capsule de l'articulation crico-arythénoïdienne. Elles sont disposées en plusieurs couches séparées par du tissue adipeux. La couche la plus médiale des fibres de collagène est insérée sur le versant médial du processus vocal, alors que la corde vocale, elle-même, est amarrée plus latéralement. Contrairement aux descriptions de la littérature, aucune fibre du ligament crico-arythénoïdien ne rejoint le pli vocal [corde vocale]. Tout particulièrement, la partie médiale du ligament est importante pour le contrôle des mouvements d'abduction et d'adduction cordage. Une dysphonie peut résulter d'une asymétrie de structure du ligament crico-arythénïdien.

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  1. Institute of Anatomy, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Nussallee 10, D-53115, Bonn, Germany

    M M Reidenbach

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  1. M M Reidenbach
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Reidenbach, M.M. The cricoarytenoid ligament: its morphology and possible implications for vocal cord movements. Surg Radiol Anat 17, 307–310 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795187

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01795187

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