| Aryepiglottic muscle | |
| Latin: | pars aryepiglottica musculi arytaenoidei obliqui, musculus aryepiglotticus |
| Origin: | Continuation of the oblique arytenoid past the arytenoid apex |
| Insertion: | Aryepiglottic fold |
| Blood: | Laryngeal branch of superior thyroid artery |
| Nerve: | Inferior laryngeal nerve (from the vagus nerve) |
| Action: | Closes the laryngeal inlet |
The aryepiglottic muscle or aryepiglotticus muscle, often considered the aryepiglottic part of oblique arytenoid muscle, is an intrinsic muscle of the larynx. It is a direct continuation of a portion of the fibers of the oblique arytenoid muscle, sharing its innervation and blood supply, after these select fibers travel laterally around the arytenoid apex to the aryepiglottic fold.[1]
The aryepiglottic muscle is innervated by the inferior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (itself a branch of the vagus nerve). Together with the oblique arytenoid muscle, it helps to act as a sphincter and weak adductor of the laryngeal inlet.