Muscle Names · Muscular System · Medium
Cricothyroid
Meaning: A small muscle of the larynx that tilts the cartilages to tense the vocal cords and raise pitch.
In practice: Damage to the external laryngeal nerve weakens cricothyroid and lowers voice pitch.
Quick check
Two questions on related muscle names words.
Which word means: The smallest skeletal muscle in the body, in the middle ear, which dampens loud sounds.
Answer: Stapedius
Which word means: The longest and middle column of the erector spinae group, extending the spine and head.
Answer: Longissimus
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