The nerves of the larynx are the superior and inferior laryngeal branches of the vagus nerves (CN X).

The superior laryngeal nerve arises from the inferior vagal ganglion at the superior end of the carotid triangle. The nerve divides into two terminal branches within the carotid sheath: the internal laryngeal nerve (sensory and autonomic) and the external laryngeal nerve (motor).

The internal laryngeal nerve, the larger of the terminal branches of the superior laryngeal nerve, pierces the thyrohyoid membrane with the superior laryngeal artery, supplying sensory fibers to the laryngeal mucous membrane of the laryngeal vestibule and middle laryngeal cavity, including the superior surface of the vocal folds. The external laryngeal nerve, the smaller terminal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, descends posterior to the sternothyroid muscle in company with the superior thyroid artery. At first, the external laryngeal nerve lies on the inferior pharyngeal constrictor; it then pierces the muscle, contributing to its innervation (with the pharyngeal plexus), and continues to supply the cricothyroid muscle.

The inferior laryngeal nerve, the continuation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (a branch of the vagus nerve), enters the larynx by passing deep to the inferior border of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor and medial to the lamina of the thyroid cartilage. It divides into anterior and posterior branches, which accompany the inferior laryngeal artery into the larynx. The anterior branch supplies the lateral crico-arytenoid, thyro-arytenoid, vocalis, ary-epiglottic, and thyro-epiglottic muscles. The posterior branch supplies the posterior crico-arytenoid and transverse and oblique arytenoid muscles. Because it supplies all the intrinsic muscles except the cricothyroid, the inferior laryngeal nerve is the primary motor nerve of the larynx. However, it also provides sensory fibers to the mucosa of the infraglottic cavity.