Aryepiglottic fold explained

Aryepiglottic fold
Latin:	plica aryepiglottica
System:	Larynx

The aryepiglottic folds are triangular folds of mucous membrane of the larynx. They enclose ligamentous and muscular fibres. They extend from the lateral borders of the epiglottis to the arytenoid cartilages, hence the name 'aryepiglottic'. They contain the aryepiglottic muscles and form the upper borders of the quadrangular membrane. They have a role in growling as a form of phonation. They may be narrowed and cause stridor, or be shortened and cause laryngomalacia.

Structure

The aryepiglottic folds are triangular. They are narrow in front, wide behind, and slope obliquely downward and backward. They originate from the lateral borders of the epiglottis.^[1] They insert into the arytenoid cartilages.

In front, they are bounded by the epiglottis. Behind, they are bounded by the apices of the arytenoid cartilages, the corniculate cartilages, and the interarytenoid notch.^[2] Within the posterior part of each aryepiglottic fold exists a cuneiform cartilage which forms a whitish prominence, the cuneiform tubercle.

The aryepiglottic folds contain the aryepiglottic muscles. They form the upper borders of the quadrangular membrane, and the lateral borders of the laryngeal inlet.

Function

PhonationUnder certain circumstances, the aryepiglottic folds take part in phonation, for instance in the singing technique of vocal growl, such as practiced by Louis Armstrong and other jazz singers. The approximation of the aryepiglottic folds during vocalization may establish sustained co-oscillations, at relatively low frequencies, producing the growl or growling effect.^[3]

Clinical significance

StridorIf the aryepiglottic folds narrow the laryngeal inlet, they may cause stridor.^[4]

LaryngomalaciaThe aryepiglottic folds are shortened in laryngomalacia.^[5] They may be surgically removed to prevent problems eating and shortness of breath.

References

Bibliography

• Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, 12. Auflage, 2005, S.239–45.
• Schuhmacher GH, Aumüller G, Topographische Anatomie des Menschen, Elsevier, 2004,

Notes and References

1. Reidenbach. Martina Maria. 1998. Aryepiglottic fold: Normal topography and clinical implications. Clinical Anatomy. en. 11. 4. 223–235. 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2353(1998)11:4<223::AID-CA1>3.0.CO;2-S. 9652536 . 1098-2353.
2. Web site: Olesiak . Doctor . 2023-07-23 . An Overview Of Throat Anatomy . 2023-07-29 . en-US.
3. Sakakibara . Ken-Ichi . Fuks . Leonardo . Imagawa . Hiroshi . Tayama . Niro . 2004 . Growl Voice in Ethnic and Pop Styles . Proceedings of the International Symposium on Musical Acoustics . 19 June 2013.
4. Peron. Didier L.. Graffino. Donatella B.. Zenker. David O.. 1988. The redundant aryepiglottic fold: Report of a new cause of stridor. The Laryngoscope. en. 98. 6. 659–663. 10.1288/00005537-198806000-00016. 3374242 . 1531-4995.
5. Polonovski. Jean-Michel. Contencin. Philippe. Francois. Martine. Viala. Paul. Narcy. Philippe. 1990-08-01. Aryepiglottic Fold Excision for the Treatment of Severe Laryngomalacia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. en. 99. 8. 625–627. 10.1177/000348949009900807. 2382935 . 0003-4894.