arytenoidbrosk

The arytenoid brosk is a small, triangular bone located in the larynx, which is the part of the throat that allows us to breathe, swallow, and speak. The term "brosk" is a colloquial term for "cartilage," which is the flexible, connective tissue that supports and protects the body's structures. The arytenoid cartilage is one of the three pairs of cartilages that make up the larynx, along with the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage.

The arytenoid cartilage is located on either side of the larynx, near the vocal cords. It has a unique shape, with a muscular process that attaches to the vocal cord and a vocal process that articulates with the thyroid cartilage. The arytenoid cartilage plays a crucial role in the production of sound, as it helps to open and close the vocal cords during speech and breathing.

The arytenoid cartilage is also involved in the mechanism of coughing and swallowing. During a cough, the arytenoid cartilage helps to close the glottis, the space between the vocal cords, to prevent the entry of foreign substances into the lungs. During swallowing, the arytenoid cartilage helps to close the glottis to prevent food and liquids from entering the lungs.

The arytenoid cartilage is innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which supplies sensory and motor innervation to the larynx. The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve, which is the tenth cranial nerve. The recurrent laryngeal nerve is vulnerable to injury, particularly in cases of neck surgery or trauma, as it passes through a narrow space in the neck called the piriform recess.

In summary, the arytenoid brosk is a small, triangular cartilage located in the larynx that plays a crucial role in the production of sound, coughing, and swallowing. It is innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is a branch of the vagus nerve.