How Do You Spell CRICOTHYROID MUSCLE?

1. The cricothyroid muscle, also known as the musculus cricothyroideus, is a small but crucial muscle in the neck region. It is primarily responsible for controlling the tension of the vocal folds, which enables the production of different pitches or tones in speech and singing.

   Situated between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid ring, the cricothyroid muscle extends from the lower portion of the thyroid cartilage to the cricoid cartilage. Its unique structure and position allow it to play a significant role in vocalization.

   Contraction of the cricothyroid muscle lengthens and stiffens the vocal folds, resulting in an increase in pitch. Conversely, relaxation of this muscle allows the vocal folds to shorten and become less tense, leading to a lower pitch. The fine coordination between the cricothyroid muscle and other muscles involved in phonation is what enables individuals to adjust their voice to produce various tones and intonations.

   The innervation of the cricothyroid muscle is primarily provided by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, which originates from the vagus nerve. This nerve supplies the necessary motor impulses to control the contraction and relaxation of the muscle fibers.

   Understanding the cricothyroid muscle's function is crucial for singers, vocal coaches, speech therapists, and medical professionals involved in managing voice disorders.

2. Musculus cricothyreoideus.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CRICOTHYROID MUSCLE

The word "cricothyroid muscle" can be broken down into two parts: "crico-" and "thyroid".

The first part, "crico-", is derived from the Greek word "krikos", which means "ring" or "circle". This refers to the cricoid cartilage, which is a ring-shaped structure located in the larynx (voice box).

The second part, "thyroid", is derived from the Greek word "thyreoeidḗs", meaning "shield-shaped". This refers to the thyroid cartilage, another structure located in the larynx, in the shape of a shield.

So, the combination of "crico-" and "thyroid" in the name "cricothyroid muscle" specifies the connection between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage, indicating the location and association of this particular muscle in the larynx.