Muscle
Vocalis
Specialized medial muscle within the vocal fold
High-yield
Vocalis contributes to fine control of vocal-fold stiffness and vibration. A fixed rule that it always tenses the front while relaxing the back overstates what anatomy alone establishes.
Overview
Vocalis is the medial part of thyroarytenoid next to the vocal ligament. Its small bundles and connective-tissue attachments form a complex arrangement rather than one simple cable. Activity changes local fold mechanics as part of coordinated voice production.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Anterior attachments near the internal thyroid angle, within the medial thyroarytenoid region.
- Insertion
- Connections to the arytenoid vocal-process region and connective tissue associated with the vocal ligament; individual bundles have varied orientations.
- Innervation
- Recurrent laryngeal motor branches, with a complex local neuromuscular arrangement.
- Action
- Modifies local stiffness and the vibrating configuration of the fold during coordinated phonation.
- Blood supply
- The laryngeal arterial network supplies the muscle through superior and inferior laryngeal branches.
Clinical correlation
Age-related change may involve both vocalis muscle and the overlying mucosa. Bowing and incomplete closure can contribute to a weak or breathy voice, but similar appearances have other causes and do not establish presbyphonia by themselves.
Frequently asked questions
What does the vocalis do?
The vocalis modifies local stiffness and the vibrating configuration of the fold during coordinated phonation.
What nerve innervates the vocalis?
The vocalis is innervated by the recurrent laryngeal motor branches, with a complex local neuromuscular arrangement.
Where does the vocalis attach?
Origin: Anterior attachments near the internal thyroid angle, within the medial thyroarytenoid region. Insertion: Connections to the arytenoid vocal-process region and connective tissue associated with the vocal ligament; individual bundles have varied orientations.
What is the blood supply of the vocalis?
The laryngeal arterial network supplies the muscle through superior and inferior laryngeal branches.