Vocal muscles are the muscles responsible for controlling the vocal folds and enabling phonation (sound production). These muscles either abduct (open) or adduct (close) the vocal folds, altering the airflow and creating sound.
Internal Vocal Musculature
The primary group of muscles involved in phonation is the internal musculature. These muscles directly control the movement and tension of the vocal folds.
Muscles that Abduct (Open) the Vocal Folds:
- Posterior Cricoarytenoid: This is the sole abductor of the vocal folds, meaning it's the only muscle responsible for opening them.
Muscles that Adduct (Close) the Vocal Folds:
Several muscles work together to adduct the vocal folds:
- Lateral Cricoarytenoid
- Thyroarytenoid
- Interarytenoid
- Cricothyroid
These muscles work in concert to close the vocal folds, allowing for the production of sound.
In summary, vocal muscles control the opening and closing of the vocal folds, which is essential for producing sound during speech and singing. The balanced action of abductor and adductor muscles regulates the airflow through the larynx, creating variations in pitch, loudness, and vocal quality.
