Stimmlippenmuskulatur

Stimmlippenmuskulatur refers to the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that control the tension and position of the vocal folds within the larynx. These muscles are essential for producing voice, regulating pitch, and enabling functions like swallowing and breathing. The intrinsic muscles, located entirely within the larynx, directly alter the vocal folds themselves. Key among these is the thyroarytenoid muscle, which shortens and thickens the vocal folds to lower pitch. The cricothyroid muscle, an extrinsic muscle with an attachment outside the larynx, stretches and tenses the vocal folds, increasing pitch. Other intrinsic muscles include the lateral cricoarytenoid, which adducts the vocal folds for phonation, and the posterior cricoarytenoid, which abducts them for breathing. The extrinsic muscles, such as the sternothyroid and sternohyoid, influence the overall position of the larynx. Together, the coordinated action of these muscles allows for the complex adjustments required for speech and vocalization. Damage or dysfunction of the stimmlippenmuskulatur can lead to voice disorders such as hoarseness, breathiness, or complete voice loss. Neurological conditions affecting the nerves innervating these muscles, like the recurrent laryngeal nerve, are common causes of such impairments.