The cricoarytenoid ligament: its morphology and possible implications for vocal cord movements.

The cricoarytenoid ligament was studied in sections of ten plastinated adult human larynges. The collagenous fibres forming the ligament originate from a small area at the upper rim of the cricoid lamina and from the adjacent dorsal cricoid perichondrium. The fibres strengthen the dorsal and medial part of the capsule of the cricoarytenoid joint. They are arranged in several layers separated by adipose tissue. The most medial layer of the collagenous fibres is attached to the medial aspect of the vocal process, whereas the vocal cord is anchored more laterally. Contrary to the descriptions in the literature, no fibres of the cricoarytenoid ligament join the vocal cord. Especially, the medial part of the ligament is important for controlling abduction and abduction of the vocal cords. Voice disturbance may result from structural asymmetry of the cricoarytenoid ligament.