Arytenoid motion evoked by regional electrical stimulation of the canine posterior cricoarytenoid muscle

Anatomical studies have demonstrated that the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle in the dog is composed of three bellies. These bellies are termed vertical, oblique, and horizontal on the basis of their orientation. The purpose of this study was to show whether each of these bellies can move the vocal fold in different ways. Ten anesthetized dogs underwent laryngectomies while paralyzed with curare. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscles were then exposed by dissecting the overlying esophageal mucosa. Electrical stimulation was applied to each belly, and the motion of the arytenoid cartilage was measured. Because the oblique belly overlies the vertical belly, they were usually stimulated together. It was found that the vertical and oblique bellies rock the arytenoid backwards while sliding it laterally, thus causing a maximal dilation of the airway. The horizontal belly caused a swiveling motion of the arytenoid. It is proposed that the vertical and oblique bellies normally cause vocal fold abudction during respiration, while the horizontal belly primarily is used to adjust finely the position of the vocal process during phonation. Because the human posterior cricoarytenoid is also composed of separate bellies it, too, may have distinct functions.