Thyroepiglotticus
Tongue & Throat
This muscle is like a tiny ‘door opener’ for the voice box. It is often described as specialized thyroarytenoid fibers that continue into the aryepiglottic fold and epiglottis instead of stopping at the arytenoid cartilage.
Function
Widens the laryngeal inlet by acting on the aryepiglottic fold and epiglottis; some descriptions note it can help displace the epiglottis inferiorly.
Origin
Inner surface of the thyroid cartilage / thyroid lamina; considered a continuation of superior thyroarytenoid fibers.
Insertion
Aryepiglottic fold and lateral margin of the epiglottis.
Innervation
Recurrent laryngeal nerve (from the vagus, CN X) — specifically the inferior laryngeal nerve, like most intrinsic laryngeal muscles.