Structure
The vocal ligament is the free superior margin of the conus elasticus (cricothyroid membrane). It extends from the internal surface of the thyroid cartilage to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilages.
The vocal ligament is covered by a layer of mucosa. The combination of the ligament, mucosa, and underlying muscular components (thyroarytenoid and vocalis fibers) form the vocal fold or vocal cord.
Related parts of the anatomy
Key Features & Anatomical Relations
The vocal folds lie on each side of an opening called the rima glottidis. The anterior 60% of the rima glottidis is intramembranous and its borders are formed by the vocal folds. The posterior 40% is intracartilaginous and is formed from the vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages (Sinnatamby, 2011).
List of Clinical Correlates
- Laryngeal carcinoma
- Reinke’s edema
- Vocal cord nodules
References
Sinnatamby, C. S. (2011) Last's Anatomy: Regional and Applied. ClinicalKey 2012: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Joint Ligament
Entheseal structures are widely located throughout the body and are represented by the interface between bone and several tissues including tendon, joint capsules and ligaments.
