What is the primary function of the lateral cricoarytenoid?

The lateral cricoarytenoid muscle plays a crucial role in the adduction of the vocal folds. When this muscle contracts, it pulls the arytenoid cartilages toward each other, which results in the vocal folds being brought together. This action is essential for phonation because it enables the vocal folds to come into contact, allowing air pressure from the lungs to create sound as it passes through the closed folds.

Understanding the function of the lateral cricoarytenoid is vital for grasping how vocal fold control influences speech production and other vocalizations. It is involved not just in producing sounds but also in varying pitch and volume by adjusting the tension and position of the vocal folds during different speaking or singing tasks.