Larynx: action of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (Latin)

The musculus cricoarytenoideus lateralis is a bilateral muscle attaching between the cartilago cricoidea and arytenoidea. When these muscles contract, they rotate the cartilagines arytenoideae medially which brings the tips of the processus vocales together. This results in adduction of the plicae vocales and closure of the anterior part of the rima glottidis. The relaxed musculi arytenoideae still allow air to pass via the posterior (intercartilaginous) part of the rima glottidis, therefore allowing a toneless sound to be produced i.e. a whisper.