Main Model
Vocalis muscle
Vocalis
Origin: Lateral surface of vocal process of arytenoid cartilage
Insertion: Ipsilateral vocal ligament
Innervation: Inferior laryngeal nerve (terminal part of recurrent laryngeal nerve, from CN X)
Main Action(s): Relaxes posterior vocal ligament while maintaining (or increasing) tension of anterior part
The vocalis muscles lie medial to the thyro-arytenoid muscles and lateral to the vocal ligaments within the vocal folds. The vocalis muscles produce minute adjustments of the vocal ligaments, selectively tensing and relaxing the anterior and posterior parts, respectively, of the vocal folds during animated speech and singing.