posterior cricoarytenoid (muscle)

pos·te·ri·or cri·co·ar·y·te·noid (mus·cle)

[TA] intrinsic muscle of larynx; origin, depression on posterior surface of lamina of cricoid; insertion, muscular process of arytenoid; action, abducts vocal folds, widening rima glottidis as for taking a deep breath; nerve supply, recurrent laryngeal. Synonym(s): musculus cricoarytenoideus posterior [TA]