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iently,
W've seen tl]atoreating Subtle
the laryun andnziances ill timbre,
its intrinsic focus,
muscles and Pitch.
Precisely Asthe
adjttst a sound-Prodecing mecl]anism,
vocal folds so that thee:ffi-
they ruibrate laryritt
is the Principal organ if voice. But the larynx is also si4s¢ended cwitbin a network if throat muscles that act on it
f ron cwitbout and tberef ere f arm its ettf:rinsic unusculature.

The eutrinsic muscles if the laryun serve tcwo functions. First, they assist in sevallowiieg. We sow in the last
chapter that the primary flunction if the larym is to close i#p the alrcoay in order to prevent food from entering.
To further protect the aircujay, eutrinsic muscles attaching to the kyoid boiee and laryun fiull the laryun wS and
forward. This takes the laryrm out if the fiatb if the food and belfis to close wP tl]e collar Of the laryan, ensuring
that the food Passes into the esophagus and not the trachea (see sidel]ar on page 66).

The etttrirlsic muscles also Play a crucial role in vocalization. To function e:fficiently as a sound~Produring
organ, the laryrm must ri.ot l]e hindered in its actiori by riunscular tension, and tJ]e throat, a§ the resonating cban-
ber, mIAst be open. When cog sing, however, tl)e sevallowiieg muscles that elecuate and constrict the larym tend
to come into 1)lay3 Particularly coben cijje sirig in fel§etto or bead registers. In order to mairitain a lovj positiori of
the larym and an ofien throat, the action if the scwallocwing in:uncles that elevate the laryun mttst be countered by
muscles pulling dour on the laryrm, antagonistically sttpporting it within a cujeb if muscles. This makes it Possi~
ble to ra,i,se the fiitch coitbout interferingwitb the vibratory action of the la;ryntt, and to maintairi an open throat.
Erigaging the susperisory muscles in this way is one if the most important ski,Ill a trained sin,ger mIAst learn.
 The Suspensory
Muscles of the Larynx
Four muscles direcdy form the sus-
pension of the larynx during the act of
singing. We saw earlier that the hyoid
bone is located direed:y above the thyroid
cartilage, which is suspended from the
hyoid bone by the thyrohyoid figament.
Corresponding to the thyrohyoid lig-
ament is the thyrohyoid muscle, which
connects the thyroid cartilage direedy
above to the hyoid bone, supporting
the larynx from above. The chyrohyoid
muscle is a continuation of the stemo-
chyroid muscle, originates at the oblique
line of the thyroid cardlage just in front
of the stemothyroid, and runs verti-
cally upward to insert into the body and
cornua of the hyoid bone (Fig. 3-1).

Another crucial elevator of the larynx

is the stylopharyngeus muscle. On the
temporal bones on the base of the skull
are two small spikes called the styloid
processes (Fig. 3-2). Stylopharyngeus
arises from the base of the styloid pro-
cesses and, angling forward, attaches to
the posterior border of the thyroid carti-
lage and to either side of the walls of the
Fig:u:re 3-1. Suspensory lriuscles if the larym.
pharynx, which weu look at in Chapter
Four. Stylopharyngeus direed:y connects
the thyroid cartilage as well as the sides
of the pharynx with the styloid process, pulling upward on the larynx and droat (Fig. 3-1).

Countering the upward force of these muscles is the stemothyroid, which originates at the inner border of
the sternum and the first rib and inserts into the oblique ridge on the wing of the thyroid cartilage (Fig. 3-1).

Cricopharyngeus is another crucial suspensory muscle, anchoring the thyroid cartilage of the larynx
directly back to the phar)7nx and esophagus. This muscle originates at the cricoid cartilage and is continuous
with the inferior constrictor of the pharynx (Fig. 3-1).

48 ANATOMY OF THE VOICE

 Basedonthedirectionsindicated,wecaninferwhatactionsareperformedbythesemuscles.Thethyrohyoid
and stylopharyngeus, as well as palatopharyngeus (which weTh talk about later when we look at the palate), pull
the larynx up and back; they are therefore elevators of the larynx. The sternothyroid muscle pulls the larynx
down and is therefore a depressor; cricopharyngeus anchors it back and down and is therefore another depressor.
So the larynx is suspended from the hyoid bone and connected back and up to the skull via stylopharyngeus; it
is connected below to the stemum via sternothyroid; and it is connected behind to the esophagus via cricopha-
ryngeus-complex web of muscular support that extends up, back, and to the sternum below and to the throat
direedy behind, so that it is fiterally supported within a muscular scaffolding, sometimes called the "suspensory
muscles" of the larynx, which antagonistically support it from various directions (Fig. 3-1).

Figure 3-2. Base if skull with styloid a;nd mastoid Processes.

The ExtrinsicMuscles of the Larynx 49

 Two other muscles
nohyoid contribute
direedy connectsindireedy
the hyoid to the with
bone suspensory support
the sternum; of the larynx
it originates during
at the vocalization.
clavicle Ster-
and sternum on
its inside border and passes upward to insert into the lower border of the body of.the hyoid bone (Fig. 3-3). It
assists the sternothyroid in activelypz£/7z.72g c7oqu72 on the larynx and countering the upward pull of the elevators.

Figure 3-3 . Complete suspensory muscles if the larylun.

Omohyoid arises from the upper border of the scapula and, I)assing upward, changes angle to pass almost
vertically upward to insert into the lower border of the body of the hyoid bone (Fig. 3-3). Where the muscle
forms an angle, it is actualfy tendinous; this section is held in place by a sheath formed by the cervical fascia.
Like stemohyoid and sternothyroid, it depresses or lowers the larynx.

50 ANATOMY OF THE VOICE

Action of the Suspensory Muscles
during Singing
The stabilizing action of the suspensory muscles aids in
the production of high tones in specific ways. As we saw
inthelastchapter,thecricothyroidmuscleraiseschepitch
by stretching the vocal folds. Activity of the cricothy-
roids, however, is associated with the constricting action
of the throat muscles, so that untrained singers tend to
tighten the larynx as they ascend in pitch. They also tend
to raise the larynx because, as the pitch increases, the
cricothyroids are at their maximal activity, and stretch-
ing of the vocal bands has to be aided by elevators of
the larynx (such as thyrohyoid, stylohyoid, geniohyoid,
and hyoglossus), which pull upward on the thyroid and
tip it forward, stretching the cords (Fig. 3-4a). AIl of.
this activity is associated with tightening the throat, as
can clearly be seen in untralned singers who "reach" for
high notes by 7.#¢.f ¢.7zg Z4c /czrj#2# and tightening the entire
neck and larynx in the process (Figs. 3-4b and c).

Figure 3.-4. a. Eleruation of the laryrm in singivg; b. Strcdried appearance if singer:,

c. Lines of force if the elevators.

The ExtrinsicMuscles of the Larynx 51

 T rained singers, in contrast, are able to raise the pitch without elevating the larynx or tightening the throat.
This is part:ly because they are more familiar and comfortable with the falsetto register, and therefore do
not force the chest voice activity into the falsetto range. They are also able to engage the extinsic muscles that
depressthelaryrminordertoactivelycountertheupwardpulloftheextrinsicmusdesthatelevatethelarynx-in
pardcular,thestemothyroidandsternohyoidmusdes(Fig.3-5).Pul]ingdownonthelarynxandmaintainingitin
alowerposidonhastwobeneficialeffects.First,itpullsthethyroidcandlageforwardandinthiswayassiststhecri-
cothyroidinlengtheningthevocalfolds.Second,1oweringthelarynxmaintainsamoreopenandelongateddroat.

The downward pull of the sternohyoid and stemothyroid muscles is assisted by the trachea, which exerts
a "tracheal pull" on the cricoid cartilage, and the esophagus, which tends to pull downward on the arytenoid
cartilages. This pulls the cricoid cartilage backward and anchors it, stretching the vocal folds to produce a
high tone while maintaining a low position of the larynx.

Another elevator that actively participates in the antagonistic activity of the extrinsic muscles is the stylo-
pharyngeus muscle. By pumng up on the homs of the thyroid cardage, this muscle tits the thyroid forward,
assisting in the stretching action on the vocal folds (as in Fig. 3-5). And since the origins of the muscle at the
styloidprocessesarefartherapartthanitsinsertionsinthethroat,thestylopharyngeuspullsthepharynxupand
outward, helping to dilate or open the throat. B ecause the sternothyroid is antagonisticaJly opposing the action
of the elevators, the stylopharyngeus muscle can produce these effects without actually raising the larynx.

Activating the suspensory muscles that support the larynx in a balanced, antagonistic action has a marked
effect on timbre, resonance, and vocal range. The ability of the larynx to function optimaJly, as well as the
ability to sing with an "of)en throat," depend to a large extent upon the antagonistic action of the suspensory
muscles of the larynx.

Figure 3-5 . Action of the sttspensory mttscles during singing. Inset sbocos lines if force if the muscles.

52 ANATOMY OF THE VOICE

Supported Falsetto
The extrinsic muscles are particularly important in producing the supported falsetto (Fig. 3-6). During
normal falsetto voice, the vocalis muscle is relaxed, while the muscles that raise the pitch, the cricochyroid
muscles, actively thin the vocal cords, countered by the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. In the supported fal-
setto, the suspensory muscles more actively support the larynx. In particular, the sternothyroid muscle actively
contributes to the stretching process, as well as the thyrohyoid, to help the closers oppose the action of the
cricothyroid. This helps to reinforce the blend between registers because, instead of a break between registers,
the antagonism is maintained throughout-a truly supported voice. Engaging the suspensory muscles in this
way makes it possible to manage the register break skillfuly and is a basic part of the singer's tralriing.

In "head" voice, the suspensory muscles of the larynx are at their highest activity (Fig. 3-7) . In head voice the
vocalis remains active and therefore opposes the cricothyroid. The cricothyroid is at its marinum activity
and cannot lengthen the vocal folds beyond a certain point; it is actively assisted by the stylopharyngeus and
palatopharyngeus (see Fig. 4-6) muscles, which pull up on the thyroid and, in conjunction with the sterno-
thyroid, tilt the thyroid carthage forward
and down. These upward pulls are coun-
tered by the stemothyroid, stemohyoid,
and omohyoid muscles, which oppose the
upward pull of the elevators. Finany, the
Stylopharyngeus muscle cricopharyngeus muscle actively anchors
Sternohyoid muscle the cricoid cartilage behind, enabling
Sternothyroid muscle the thyroid cartilage to move freely on
Cricothyroid muscle the cricoid cartilage and to produce full
Cricopharyngeus muscle stretching of the vocal folds. Because the
Omohvoid muscle larynx has not been raised or tightened,
it is free to vibrate, and because it is low
and the pharynx is fully open, it is able
to produce the powerful resonances of the
Figure 3~7 . Action if suspensory muscles in bead voice.
head voice.
Inset sl]ocos lines ifferce if the muscles.

The ExtrinsicMuscles of the Larynx 53

 The Hyoid Apparatus
As the only bone in the region of
thethroatandtheonlyfree-floating
bone in the body, the horseshoe-
shaped hyoid is a central point of
attachment for the muscles of the
throat (Figs. 3-8 and 3-9). Because
of the hyoid bone's shape, the
Greeks named it after the letter
upsilon. You can identify the hyoid
bone if you pinch your throat with
thumb and forefinger just above
your larynx and swallow or wag
your tongue; you will feel the hyoid
bone and larynx move.

The central portion or body of

the hyoid bone is thick; two horns
project backward from the body
and two smaller horns Project
inward and serve as attachments for
the stylohyoid ligament. It is sus-
pended from the styloid processes
by the stylohyoid ligament and the
stylohyoid muscle, which is the one
remaining elevator of the hyoid we
haven't yet looked at (Fig. 3-9).
Stylohyoid arises from the base of
the styloid process and, passing
forward and downward, inserts into
the body of the hyoid bone.

Figure 3-8 . Hyoid apfiaratus.

54 ANATOMY OF THE VOICE

 The hyoid bone serves three essential purposes. First, as we've already seen, it serves as an attachment
for the larynx and for the muscles that elevate and lower the larynx in swallowing. Second, it is a key
anchor point for the muscles on the floor of the mouth that depress or open the jaw. Third, it forms an
anchor for the tongue and is for this reason sometimes referred to as the "tongue bone" (Fig. 3-8).

Because the hyoid bone is the central attachment of the network of throat muscles, the muscles of the
throat are sometimes divided into those supporting and moving the larynx and hyoid bone from above,
called the suprahyoid muscles, and those acting on the larynx and hyoid from below, called the infra-
hyoid muscles. The suprahyoid muscles are mainly on the underside of the jaw and skull; they pull the
hyoid bone and larynx up and forward and move the jaw (inset, Fig. 3-8).

THE HYOID BONE

The hyoid bone is the

only bone in the throat
region and serves three
essential purposes.

• First, it serves as
an attachment for
the larynx and for the
muscles that elevate
and lower the larynx in
swallowing.

• Second, it is a key
anchor point for the
muscles on the floor of
the mouth that depress
or open the jaw

• Finally, it provides

a stable base for the

tongue (for 1:his reason it
is sometimes referred to
as the "tongue bone").

•e 3~9. Styloid Process and byoid bor}e.

The Extrinsic Muscles of the Larynx 55

 Muscles of the Hyoid Bone and Jaw
We have now looked at several of the elevators and depressors of the hyoid bone and larynx. There are sev-
eral more extrinsic muscles attaching to the hyoid bone on the underside of the jaw that form palf of the
extrinsic musculature of the larynx.

The digastric is a sting-like muscle that extends from the inner side of.the lower jaw to the mastoid pro-
cess on the base of the skull. It has two muscle behies joined by a tendon that passes through a fibrous loop
attaching to the sides of the hyoid bone (Fig. 3-11).

Styloglossus arises from the styloid processes and attaches to the sides of the tongue (Fig. 3-11).

Mylohyoid, a pair of flat and fan-shaped muscles, forms the floor of the mouth. Its fibers run at a down-
ward angle from the inner surface of the symphysis and body of the jaw, joining along the midiine at a
tendinous band and, at its posterior end, to the hyoid I)one (Fig. 3-10).

Geniohyoid lies just above mylohyoid and runs from the inner surface of the symphysis of the jaw to the
hyoid bone (Fig. 3-10).

Styloglossus muscle

56 ANATOMY OF THE VOICE

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