Cricothyroid Tensor SLN — FRCA Primary MCQ

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ModerateAnatomyCricothyroid Tensor SLNFRCA Primary

Which of the following muscles of the larynx is the only one that tenses the vocal cords by tilting the thyroid cartilage forward?

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Correct answer: E — Cricothyroid

The cricothyroid muscle (supplied by the external branch of the SLN) tilts the thyroid cartilage forward on the cricoid increasing vocal cord length and tension. This increases the pitch of the voice. All other intrinsic laryngeal muscles are supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Reference: RCoA 2021 Primary FRCA Curriculum