Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
07:17
Preparation of the Rat Vocal Fold for Neuromuscular Analyses
Published on: May 15, 2020
Ceratocricoid muscle: an embryological and anatomical study
Eva Maranillo1, Teresa Vázquez, Rosa Mirapeix
1Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana I, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid 08040, Spain.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|March 24, 2009
Summary
The rare ceratocricoid muscle was found in 23% of fetuses and 14% of adults. Its proximity to the recurrent laryngeal nerve may explain some idiopathic vocal cord paralysis cases.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Embryology
- Laryngology
Background:
- The ceratocricoid muscle is an infrequently documented laryngeal muscle.
- Understanding its prevalence and anatomical relationships is crucial for laryngeal function and pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and morphology of the ceratocricoid muscle in human embryos, fetuses, and adults.
- To investigate the embryonic origin of the ceratocricoid muscle.
- To explore the potential clinical implications of the ceratocricoid muscle's relationship with the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Main Methods:
- Anatomical dissection and histological examination of 45 embryos, 34 fetuses, and 90 adult human larynges.
- Detailed morphological description and measurement of the ceratocricoid muscle and its attachments.
- Tracing the innervation and developmental origins of the muscle.
Main Results:
- The ceratocricoid muscle was identified in 23% of fetuses and 14% of adults.
- The muscle attaches between the cricoid lamina and thyroid cartilage, near the cricothyroid joint capsule.
- Innervation originates from the recurrent laryngeal nerve; embryonic development involves the mesenchymal bridge connecting laryngeal sphincters.
Conclusions:
- The ceratocricoid muscle is a variable anatomical structure with a distinct embryonic origin.
- Its anatomical position and innervation suggest a potential role in recurrent laryngeal nerve compression.
- This muscle may be implicated in the etiology of idiopathic recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles
Skeletal muscle cells, also called muscle fibers, are distinctly elongated, multi-nucleated, slender biological units. They are packed with specialized structures designed to facilitate their primary function, which is contraction.
The muscle sarcolemma is a plasma membrane enclosing each muscle cell that conducts electrical signals called action potentials. The sarcolemma extends into the cell to form T-tubules, ensuring the neural impulses are uniformly distributed across the entire muscle...
The muscle sarcolemma is a plasma membrane enclosing each muscle cell that conducts electrical signals called action potentials. The sarcolemma extends into the cell to form T-tubules, ensuring the neural impulses are uniformly distributed across the entire muscle...
01:12Gross Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles
The connective tissues play a significant role in arranging the muscle fibers into a hierarchical structure that forms a complete muscle. Consider a muscle like the bicep brachii, commonly called the bicep. This muscle comprises thousands of muscle fibers enclosed by a protective layer of connective tissue called the endomysium. The endomysium is primarily composed of reticular fibers, a type of thin collagen fiber. It allows the exchange of nutrients and waste products at the fiber level,...
01:23Muscles of the Shoulder
The muscles surrounding the shoulder girdle, including the clavicle and scapula, primarily stabilize the scapula. This stable base allows other muscles to move the humerus effectively. Scapular movements often mirror those of the humerus and extend its range of motion. For instance, raising the arm above the head would not be feasible without simultaneous upward rotation of the scapula.
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
01:26Muscles of the Anterior Neck
The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
00:55Skeletal Muscle Anatomy
Skeletal muscle is the most abundant type of muscle in the body. Tendons are the connective tissue that attaches skeletal muscle to bones. Skeletal muscles pull on tendons, which in turn pull on bones to carry out voluntary movements.
01:14Muscles for Facial Expressions
The craniofacial muscles are a collection of approximately 20 thin skeletal muscles situated beneath the skin of the face and scalp. These muscles, primarily responsible for the vast array of human facial expressions, originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and extend outwards to connect with the skin. While most skeletal muscles in the body are enveloped in thick fascia, facial muscles generally have a more delicate fascial covering, with the buccinator muscle being a...