Hyoepiglottic ligament | |
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Details | |
From | anterior surface of the epiglottis |
To | upper border of the body of the hyoid bone |
Identifiers | |
Latin | ligamentum hyoepiglotticum |
TA2 | 1656 |
Anatomical terminology |
The hyoepiglottic ligament is an extrinsic ligament of the larynx connecting the epiglottis and the thyroid cartilage.[1]
The hyoepiglottic ligament is an elastic band connecting the anterior surface of the epiglottis, and the superior border of the body of the hyoid bone.[citation needed]
It is clinically important in performing direct laryngoscopy with a Macintosh laryngoscope blade; the blade tip is placed in the vallecula and moved anteriorly, which causes the hyoepiglottic ligament to pull the epiglottis anteriorly as well and thus expose the glottis.[citation needed]