The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, which abducts the vocal cords, is innervated by which nerve?

Prepare for the Individual Readiness Assurance Test (iRAT) 4 in Head and Neck. Study with multiple-choice questions, comprehensive explanations, and detailed flashcards. Maximize your chances of success with thorough preparation and insightful study resources.

Abduction of the vocal cords is carried out by the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, and its motor supply comes from the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus (CN X). The recurrent laryngeal nerve provides motor innervation to all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid, which is supplied by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve is sensory to the mucosa above the vocal cords, not motor, and the glossopharyngeal nerve does not innervate laryngeal muscles. So the nerve responsible for this abducting muscle is the recurrent laryngeal nerve.