Final answer:
The abduction of the arytenoids refers to their movement away from each other, allowing the passage of air during inhalation. This process occurs in the study of phonetics and is controlled by the muscles in the larynx.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abduction of the arytenoids is not a biological process, but rather a term used in phonetics, specifically in the study of human speech and vocalization.
In phonetics, the arytenoids are a pair of small cartilages located in the larynx that play a key role in voice production. Abduction of the arytenoids refers to their movement away from each other, which helps open the vocal folds and allows for the passage of air during inhalation.
During normal speech, the arytenoids adduct, or come closer together, to produce different sounds. The abduction and adduction of the arytenoids is controlled by the muscles in the larynx, such as the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles.