Ligaments of the larynx

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 21 Apr 2023

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Yu Y, Bell D, Ligaments of the larynx. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 03 May 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-166298

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-166298

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/166298

rID:

166298

Article created:

9 Apr 2023, Yoshi Yu ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Yoshi Yu had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Yoshi Yu's current disclosures

Last revised:

21 Apr 2023, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Revisions:

2 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Head & Neck

Sections:

Anatomy

Synonyms:

Ligaments of larynx
Laryngeal ligaments
Laryngeal ligament

The ligaments of the larynx can be considered as two groups based on whether they attach components of the larynx together internally or externally.

Gross anatomy

Extrinsic ligaments

thyrohyoid membrane
- median thyrohyoid ligament
- lateral thyrohyoid ligament
hyoepiglottic ligament
cricothyroid membrane
- median cricothyroid ligament
cricotracheal ligament

Intrinsic ligaments

cricovocal membrane (conus elasticus): attached inferiorly to the arch of the cricoid cartilage and ends superiorly in a free margin, which is attached anteriorly in the midline to the thyroid cartilage and posteriorly to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilages. The free margin is thickened to form the vocal ligament, which in turn is covered by mucosa to form the true vocal cords.
quadrangular membrane: attached to the anterolateral surfaces of the arytenoid cartilage and extends to the lateral margins of the epiglottis. It contains a superior and inferior free margin. The superior free margin is covered by mucosa to form the aryepiglottic fold. The inferior free margin is thickened to form the vestibular ligament, which in turn is covered by mucosa to form the false vocal cords.