Which ligament is the largest intrinsic ligament and restricts movements of the arytenoids?

The largest intrinsic ligament that restricts the movements of the arytenoids is indeed the posterior cricoarytenoid ligament. This ligament plays a crucial role in the functionality of the larynx, particularly in relation to vocal cord tension and the positioning of the arytenoid cartilages.

The arytenoids are pivotal for phonation, as they help in the opening and closing of the vocal folds. The posterior cricoarytenoid ligament anchors the arytenoids to the cricoid cartilage, thereby limiting their excessive movement. This restriction is essential for maintaining the proper tension and positioning of the vocal folds during speech production and protecting airway functions.

In contrast, the hyothyroid ligament primarily connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone, serving a different purpose related to the support of the laryngeal framework but is not involved in directly controlling arytenoid movement. The conus elasticus acts as a membrane, providing elasticity to the larynx but does not function as a ligament limiting arytenoid mobility. Lastly, the cricotracheal ligament connects the cricoid cartilage to the trachea and is not involved in constraining arytenoid movements at all. Therefore, the posterior crico