The nerves responsible for the vocal cords are located around the larynx (voice box), with specific branches supplying different functions. A key nerve is the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), also known as the inferior laryngeal nerve.
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) Details
- Function: The inferior laryngeal nerve, better known as the recurrent laryngeal nerve, supplies all motor and sensory innervation below the vocal folds.
- Unique Course: It's called the recurrent laryngeal nerve because of its unusual path.
- On the left side, it loops under the arch of the aorta.
- On the right side, it loops under the subclavian artery.
Summary
The recurrent laryngeal nerve is essential for the function of the vocal cords, providing motor and sensory innervation below the vocal folds.
