Posterior commissure of the larynx

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 7 Nov 2024

The posterior commissure of the larynx is a name often given to the posterior portion of the glottis. The interarytenoid muscles are part of this anatomical landmark.

Terminology

The term 'commissure' is a misnomer as the true vocal cords do not join together posteriorly to form a commissure 3,4. It is sometimes referred to as posterior portion of the glottis, posterior wall of the glottis or posterior end of the glottis 2-4.

This is not to be confused with the posterior commissure, a white matter tract in the brain, which is similarly named.

See also

Cases and figures

  • Figure 1: posterior commissure (MRI)
  • Figure 2: posterior commissure (CT)
  • Figure 3: vocal cords (Gray's illustration)
  • Figure 4: laryngeal muscles (Gray's illustrations)
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