The aryepiglottic muscle is attached anteriorly to the lateral border of
the epiglottic cartilage and posteriorly to the
lateral muscular process and border of the ipsilateral
arytenoid cartilage. It lies deep to the aryepiglottic
fold and when it contracts it must, of necessity, act
upon the epiglottis.The thyroepiglottic muscle is
attached laterally to the upper border of the lamina
of the thyroid cartilage and medially to the anterior
aspect of the lateral edge of the epiglottis.
Therefore, shortening of the fibres of this muscle
must act upon the epiglottis as the thyroid cartilage
is relatively “fixed”. The human organism is fairly
parsimonious in structure and muscles relate to orgin
and insertion for a reason.