How many extrinsic laryngeal muscles are there?

The correct number of extrinsic laryngeal muscles is six. These muscles play a crucial role in supporting the larynx and are involved in movements that affect the position of the larynx during speech and swallowing. The extrinsic muscles include two vital groups: the suprahyoid muscles, which are located above the hyoid bone, and the infrahyoid muscles, situated below the hyoid bone.

The suprahyoid muscles consist of four individual muscles: the digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid. These muscles primarily help in elevating the hyoid bone and the larynx during swallowing and speaking. On the other hand, the infrahyoid muscles include the sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid, which work to depress the hyoid bone and the larynx after elevation has occurred.

Therefore, the total count of extrinsic laryngeal muscles is indeed six, as each of these muscles contributes to the complex functions necessary for phonation and the safe passage of food during swallowing.