Aryepiglottic fold

The Aryepiglottic fold is counted as part of the human mouth. It's a fold of the mucous membrane. It is made to vibrate when singing the larynx.

What is the aryepiglottic fold?

The aryepiglottic fold is called the Plica aryepiglottica designated. It is assigned to the medulla oblongata in medicine. The medulla oblongate is approximately 3 cm long.

It is clearly demarcated from the spinal cord below. It is considered an elongated spinal cord and is located in the fourth ventricle. Upwards it forms the transition to the pons. This is an area that is assigned to the human cerebellum. The aryepiglottic fold is a fold of the mucous membrane. It is located in the lower part of the throat. This is called the pharynx. The aryepiglottic fold forms the border with the larynx, which is called the larynx. The fold of the mucous membrane forms the side edge of the entrance to the larynx.

This is called the aditus laryngis. When singing the larynx, the tone is formed in this region and depends on the mucous membrane there. Particularly in the undertone area, the aryepiglottic fold is replaced in vibration together with the vocal cords so that the tone can be generated. Larynx singing is a singing technique that has distinctive features and creates deep tones.

Anatomy & structure

The aryepiglottic fold is assigned to the medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata is the elongated spinal cord. It is located between the midbrain and the spinal cord.

The side walls of the medulla oblongata are formed by strong fiber tracts. These are known as the pedunculi cerebelli and connect the cerebellum to the brain stem. This area is classified as the fourth ventricle. There is a lateral expansion directly under the fiber tracts. The floor underneath has a diamond shape. Because of its optical shape, this area is known as the rhombus pit or fossa rhomboidea. There are various protrusions in the diamond pit. Underneath is the facial colliculus, which is formed by a loop with the nuclei of the facial nerve.

The aryepiglottic fold is located in this area. It sits in the human throat. Two elevations can be found directly under the diamond pit and in the lower area of ​​the aryepiglottic fold. These are known as the corniculate tubercle and the cuneatic tubercle. The aryepiglottic fold is in the middle of the throat. This is called the pharynx.

Function & tasks

The tasks and functions of the aryepiglottic fold are very special. They are needed to create undertones of throat singing. Together with the vocal cords they are set in vibration to create the undertone singing. This is a special form of singing technique that does not produce words, only sounds. All tones are below the usual singing tone. They are also to be distinguished from the overtones. The tones generated with the aryepiglottic fold are so-called whole-number fractions of the fundamental frequency.

There are various undertones with few people being able to sing an undertone series that goes up to the fifth undertone or beyond. With a fundamental of 100 Hertz, the undertone series begins with 50 Hertz. The next is at 33.33 Hertz, followed by 25 Hertz. The fourth tone is at 20 Hertz. Anything below 20 Hertz can barely or not at all be heard by humans, since most people indicate the range of hearing between 20 Hertz and 20,000 Hertz.

The singing technique is called straw bass and is often used in relaxation techniques. The larynx is also involved in the tones that are formed with the support of the aryepiglottic fold. For this reason, the singing technique is larynx singing. The special thing about singing technique is the vibration. This is only half as fast as normal singing.

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Diseases

In the throat area, inflammations, viral infections, tumors and the formation of cysts can occur. Each of these complaints has an impact on the functioning of the aryepiglottic fold and thus on the formation of the sounds in the area of ​​the undertone.

If there is swelling in the throat, the function of the aryepiglottic fold is restricted. Inflammation causes the skin in the throat to be irritated and the mucous membrane to be insufficiently developed or to swell. The diseases that result from inflammation include sore throat, tonsillitis, and larynx and epiglottis. An inflammation of the throat is caused by cold viruses. Angina is an inflammation of the tonsils that is accompanied by a narrowing of the throat. Laryngitis is usually caused by bacteria.

A cold causes inflammation of the mucous membrane, which expands down the throat. The mucous membrane, like the vocal cords, can swell due to the inflammation. The epiglottis is called epiglottitis. It is caused by an infection with bacteria. Most often it is diagnosed in children between the ages of two and eight. When tumors form in the throat, cancer of the larynx often occurs. This is known as laryngeal cancer.

The risk factors that cause laryngeal cancer include smoking tobacco and regular alcohol consumption. Due to the risk factors, men are usually at risk of laryngeal cancer. If the larynx has to be removed due to a disease, the aryepiglottic fold loses its function. It is no longer needed.