crico-arytenoideus

from The Century Dictionary.

• noun One of the muscles which in man act upon the vocal cords and glottis. The crico-arytenoideus lateralis arises from the upper border of the side of the cricoid cartilage, and is inserted into the outer angle of the base of the arytenoid cartilage. The crico-arytenoideus posticus lies behind the foregoing; it arises from the posterior surface of the cricoid cartilage, and its converging fibers are inserted into the outer angle of the base of the arytenoid cartilage. The former of these muscles closes the glottis, while the latter opens it.