[TA] intrinsic muscle of larynx; origin, inner surface of thyroid cartilage; insertion, muscular process and outer surface of arytenoid; action, decreases tension on (relaxes) vocal cords lowering the pitch of the voice tone; it is antagonistic to the cricothyroid muscle in this action; nerve supply, recurrent laryngeal. SYN: musculus thyroarytenoideus [TA], musculus thyroarytenoideus externus.
