Question:medium
What is the tensor of vocal cords?
What is the tensor of vocal cords?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Cricothyroid
- Lateral Cricoarytenoid
- Thyroarytenoids
- Posterior cricoarytenoids
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Sort the intrinsic laryngeal muscles by their action on the rima glottidis and on cord tension. Adductors close the gap, the lone abductor opens it, and a separate pair governs tension and relaxation.
Step 2: To increase tension, the thyroid lamina must rotate forward and downward about the cricothyroid joint, which is precisely what the cricothyroid does. Lengthening the folds raises their tension and pitch, so the cricothyroid is the tensor.
Step 3: Discard the others. The thyroarytenoid does the opposite job, slackening the folds. The posterior cricoarytenoid abducts the cords (it is the safety muscle that keeps the airway open). The lateral cricoarytenoid adducts the cords for phonation. None of these tightens the folds.
\[\boxed{\text{Cricothyroid}}\]
Step 2: To increase tension, the thyroid lamina must rotate forward and downward about the cricothyroid joint, which is precisely what the cricothyroid does. Lengthening the folds raises their tension and pitch, so the cricothyroid is the tensor.
Step 3: Discard the others. The thyroarytenoid does the opposite job, slackening the folds. The posterior cricoarytenoid abducts the cords (it is the safety muscle that keeps the airway open). The lateral cricoarytenoid adducts the cords for phonation. None of these tightens the folds.
\[\boxed{\text{Cricothyroid}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0
