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Pars recta
Other Terms:
Pars recta (Musculus cricothyroideus),
Pars recta musculus cricothyroidei
Muscle parts
Straight part; Oblique part
Latin name
Musculus cricothyroideus
Latin muscle parts
Pars recta; Pars obliqua
Group
Branchial arch muscle – fourth arch (Laryngeal muscle)
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the muscle of the ring and shield-shapes (referring to the shapes of the cartilages to which it attaches.) Crico comes from the Greek krikos meaning “ring,” which is a reference to the ring-like cricoid cartilage of the larynx. While thyroid is from the Greek term thyreos for “shield” plus the suffix eidos meaning “shape or form.” The Greek word thyreos comes from thyra meaning door and referred to a large, oblong stone that was used as a door. The term thyreos was later used to refer to large oblong shields used by Minoan warriors. The shields covered them from shoulders to feet, with the top of the shield having a notch for the chin. It was this shield that the ancient anatomist Galen envisioned when he named the laryngeal cartilage in the 2nd Century.
Origin
Anterolateral surface of the cricoid cartilage
Insertion
Anterior surface of the inferior thyroid cornu and the lower margin of the thyroid lamina
Action
Rotate the thyroid cartilage anterior and inferior to tighten the vocal ligaments.
Nerve supply
Vagus nerve (Cranial nerve X)
Blood supply
A small branch of the superior thyroid artery called the cricothyroid artery enters the superficial surface of the muscle.
Latin
Pars recta musculus cricothyroidei